The Canadian women’s softball team will head into the bronze-medal game on a high note following its 8-1, six-inning mercy-rule victory over Italy on Monday.
Third-ranked Canada will face No. 5 Mexico for Olympic bronze on Tuesday at midnight ET. The U.S., which beat Japan 2-1 earlier Monday, will meet the hosts in a rematch for gold.
Canada, already assured of playing for bronze, rested pitchers Sara Groenewegen and Jenna Caira, who had each appeared in every game prior to Monday. Outfielder Victoria Hayward was moved to designated player for the game.
The blowout victory at Yokohama Baseball Stadium assured the entire 15-player roster got an extra inning of rest, too. The sport’s rules state if any team leads by seven at the conclusion of an inning, the game is over — that’s what the Canadians managed after six against Italy.
Click CBC link above for complete story and more photos. If you missed the live broadcast on Sunday, catch the archived broadcast here, courtesy of CBC (VPN needed to watch in US)