Australia bids farewell to the Canada Cup 2023 with commendable efforts from all three teams, who despite their gallant performances, fell short of advancing to the final day of play.

The Canada Cup holds significant importance in the Softball pathway, serving as an important platform for our Australian team members, including both players and coaches, to enhance their skills and thrive in a competitive environment. Throughout the tournament, our athletes have demonstrated remarkable growth and development, reaffirming their commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

Softball Australia CEO, Rosie Williams OBE spoke on the recent results for Australian Softball, saying “It has been an outstanding weekend for women's softball in Australia. We are thrilled to have the Spirit qualify for the World Cup in Italy next year, which is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our players.”

“We’ve also had three Australian teams competing throughout the Canada Cup, showcasing a remarkable group of talented individuals who represent the future of the sport, some of whom could yet play a vital role in Australia's success in 2024 and beyond.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to our exceptional coaches, managers, and medical staff who have worked tirelessly to support and elevate our young athletes to their fullest potential. Together, we are committed to ensuring that our players receive the care and guidance they need to become the best they can be.”

International Women’s

Game WPO-4: Australia A vs Mexico 8:30AM AEST

Aus A 3 def by MEX 6
AUS A: 3R 8H 2E
MEX: 6R 8H 2E

Australia A concluded their journey at the Canada Cup with a hard-fought 3-6 loss against Mexico. Drawing from their previous encounter, where they fell 1-5 to Mexico in the round-robin stage, Australia A approached the playoff game with a better understanding of their opponents. The team showcased their offensive capabilities, tallying eight hits in the game, with Neve Adams leading the way by contributing two RBIs on two hits from two at-bats.

Australia A made an early impact on the scoreboard when Alyssa Mighell's lineout single in the top of the first allowed Hirari Kurihara to score after tagging up. The lead extended to 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Adams' sacrifice fly enabled Mighell to cross home plate. However, the lead was short-lived as Mexico mounted a strong offensive response in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs. They followed it up with two more runs on a fly ball single in the fifth inning. Undeterred, Australia A fought back and managed to add a run in the top of the seventh after Sara Riou's triple line drive to right field put her in a scoring position.

Despite their best efforts, Australia A fell short in their quest for victory against a determined Mexico side. Nonetheless, the team demonstrated resilience and fought until the very end, showcasing their skills and determination throughout the tournament. This was highlighted by Steph Trzcinski's naming to the All-Star team of the Tournament.

The experience gained at the Canada Cup will undoubtedly contribute to the players' growth and development as they continue their softball journeys. This highlights the significance of the tournament as an integral development pathway for future Spirit players and coaches.

Futures Gold

Game FGCR-30: Australia U-19 vs Chinese Taipei U18 6:00AM AEST

AUS U-19 0 def by TPE U18 10
AUS U-19: 0R 4H 2E
WHTR: 10R 13H 1E

Game FGCR-38: Australia U-19 vs San Diego Renegades 18U 8:30AM AEST

AUS U-19 8 def SDR 2
AUS U-19: 8R 14H 3E
SDR: 2R 3H 5E

Game FGCR-42: Israel U19 vs Australia U-19 11:00AM AEST

ISR U19 0 def by AUS U-19 1
ISR U19: 0R 1H 0E
AUS U-19: 1R 3H 0E

Game FGCR-44: GA Power Gold 04 vs Australia U-19

GAPG 2 def AUS U-19 1
GAPG: 2R 5H 0E
AUS U-19: 1R 5H 0E

Australia's Under-19 team displayed tremendous stamina and determination as they faced an arduous challenge of competing in four games today. Unfortunately, they fell short in their final match, missing out on progressing to the final day of play. After a morning defeat against Chinese Taipei U18, Australia U-19 fought their way back with two subsequent victories. However, their fourth and final game against the Georgia Power Gold 04 proved to be a bridge too far, resulting in a narrow 1-0 loss.

In their opening game, the previously undefeated Australia U-19 struggled to match the skill and talent of the Chinese Taipei team, succumbing to a 10-0 defeat. Chinese Taipei showcased their abilities both offensively and defensively, scoring 10 runs from 13 hits while stifling Australia U-19's offense, allowing only four hits without a score.

Undeterred by the setback, Australia U-19 seized their second chance and swiftly rebounded with an impressive 8-2 win over San Diego Renegades 18U. The team made an immediate impact by producing three-run innings in both the first and second frames. With a total of 14 hits, highlighted by strong performances from Zoe Thomson, Hannah Barlow, and Hannah Scott, and multiple RBIs from Bianca Markham, Australia U-19 capitalized on their opportunities at the plate. Jessica Smith led the charge from the pitcher's mound, striking out six batters and conceding only two runs from three hits across five innings.

Maintaining their momentum, Australia U-19 ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Israel U19 in their third game. Barlow's single in the first inning paved the way for Angelique Iredale to score, setting the tone for a tightly contested match. Harper Bridley showcased her pitching proficiency, delivering an exceptional performance with two strikeouts and surrendering only one hit and zero runs across five innings. Jayda Lorigan provided effective relief pitching, adding two strikeouts of her own and preventing any further runs from Israel U19.

Sadly, Australia U-19 experienced their second defeat of the day, effectively concluding their tournament, in a tightly contested 1-2 loss to GA Power Gold 04. Australia U-19 managed to score a run in the first inning courtesy of Hannah Scott's double, but struggled to find additional runs throughout the game. Despite a resilient defence from the Aussies, GA Power Gold managed to score two runs in the fourth inning, securing a 2-1 lead. The scores remained unchanged until the end of the game, as both teams exhibited strong defensive performances, preventing any further scoring opportunities.

Under the guidance of head coach Leigh Godfrey, a former Aussie Spirit player, alongside assistant coaches Drew Herrington and Karyn Dale, the Australia U-19 team gained invaluable lessons throughout the tournament. They faced top-quality competition, allowing for significant growth and development. The players formed a strong bond as teammates, demonstrating remarkable resilience and delivering impressive performances under pressure. The experience gained from this tournament will undoubtedly contribute to their continued progress and success in the future.

Showcase Gold

Game SGCR-38: Mexico U17 vs Australia U-17 3:30AM AEST

MEX U17 0 def by AUS U-17 5
MEX U17: 0R 3H 0E
AUS U-17: 5R 13H 2E

Game SGCR-42: Australia U17 vs Cloverdale Fury 07 Gold 6:00AM AEST

AUS U-17 5 def CLVF 0
AUS U-17: 2R 4H 2E
CLVF: 4R 9H 3E

Game SGCR-46: Australia U-17 vs St. Albert Angels U17 White 8:30AM AEST

AUS-U17 2 def by SAAW 4
AUS U-17: 2R 4H 2E
SAAW: 4R 9H 3E

The Australia U-17 team experienced a day filled with highs and lows, showcasing their talent with two impressive 5-0 victories in their first two games, only to be disappointed by a 2-4 loss against St. Albert Angels U17 White that ultimately marked the end of their tournament journey.

In their opening game against Mexico U17, Australia U-17 displayed relentless offensive pressure, culminating in a pivotal three-run surge in the fourth inning. The team accumulated an impressive total of 13 hits, with Kate Luyten leading the way with a superb four hits and two RBIs in four at-bats. Rhiannon Smith, Sophie Rantanen, and Lekyhia Jackson also contributed multiple hits to propel Australia U-17's offensive success. Olivia Durham excelled on the pitcher's mound, striking out six batters and allowing zero runs on three hits across six innings.

Maintaining their momentum, Australia U-17 entered their second game against Cloverdale Fury 07 Gold with confidence. Although their offensive output was not as persistent as the previous contest, the young Aussies were highly efficient with the bat, scoring five runs from five hits in a burst in the sixth inning to secure a 5-0 victory. Maya Gillies delivered an exceptional performance at the plate, recording three RBIs from two hits in three at-bats. Sophie Rantanen and Abbie Bastian also contributed with one RBI each. The team's exceptional fielding ensured that Cloverdale Fury was unable to score throughout the game, resulting in a shutout victory for Australia U-17.

However, their final game of the day against St. Albert Angels U17 White proved to be a closely contested affair. Both teams exchanged single runs in the first inning, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle. The Angels gained a 3-1 advantage with runs in the second and fourth innings, but Australia U-17 swiftly responded with a run of their own in the fifth, narrowing the gap to 3-2. In the sixth inning, St. Albert Angels added another run, and Australia U-17 failed to find a breakthrough in the seventh inning, resulting in a 2-4 defeat.

Despite the mixed outcome on the final day, the Australia U-17 team displayed remarkable talent, resilience, and determination throughout the tournament. Their impressive offensive performances and solid fielding showcased their potential and bode well for their future endeavours in the sport. The valuable experiences gained from this tournament will undoubtedly contribute to their continued growth and development as they progress along their softball journey.

Header Photo Credit  - Neil Wilson

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