WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C Day 3 - Canada beat Japan for first time since 2004; Venezuela too good Philippines
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<p>Welcome to day three of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C round robin play with four more exciting games at the Campo da Baseball-Softball G. Michelutti in Buttrio in beautiful conditions in the north of Italy with the temperature starting at 28° rising to 32° throughout the day.</p>
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<p>Amazing showcase of international women's softball with Venezuela proving too good for the Philippines while Canada handed Japan their first defeat in a WBSC Softball World Cup or an Olympic Games (other than to USA) since the 2004 Olympics (against Canada 1-0).<br> </p>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-context="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wbsc/53066611494/in/album-72177720309979780/" title="GROUP C - DAY 3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53066611494_ce44b72c00_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="GROUP C - DAY 3"></a><script async="" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class=""><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/schedule-and-results"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Day Three Schedule</span></strong></a> </td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Philippines v Venezuela </td><td>1-5</td><td><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/schedule-and-results/box-score/119344"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Score/Play by Play</span></strong></a></td><td><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2XUFKib88E"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Highlights</span></strong></a></td></tr><tr><td>Canada v Japan</td><td>6-5</td><td><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/schedule-and-results/box-score/119345"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Score/Play by Play</span></strong></a></td><td><a href="https://gametime.sport/events/offers/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">On Demand</span></strong></a></td></tr><tr><td>New Zealand v Venezuela</td><td>17:00</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Italy v Philippines </td><td>20:00</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
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<ul><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/home"><strong>Group C</strong></a> in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy sees world No. 2 and Olympic champions Japan, No. 5 Canada, No. 8 Italy, No. 26 Philippines and No. 29 New Zealand in action from 22-26 July. <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/news/womens-softball-world-cup-group-c-japan-canada-and-italy-expected-to-lead-the-way"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Group C Preview</span></strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/news/head-coaches-discuss-xvii-wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c"><strong>Group C head coaches discuss their chances</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/news/xvii-wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-12-players-to-watch"><strong>12 players to watch</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/news/xvii-wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-by-the-numbers"><strong>By the Numbers</strong></a></li><li><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wbsc/" target="_blank"><strong>Photos</strong></a></li><li>Watch Live on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://gametime.sport/" target="_blank"><strong>GameTime.Sport</strong></a></li></ul>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://gametime.sport/events/offers/" title="Group C"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53041762664_fb15d83cc4_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="Group C"></a><script async="" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h3>Canada v Japan</h3>
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<p>The game of the day features the Olympic champions and world No. 2 Japan against the bronze medallists from Tokyo 2020 and world No. 5 Canada. These two teams played twice at the 2018 World Cup with Japan winning the pool game 2-0 and the bronze medal game 3-0 while at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Japan won 1-0. </p>
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<p>Japan, who have two wins from two games this week, got to work early with Kyoko Ishikawa getting on first, stealing second before being advanced to third. A double to centre field by Hitomi Kawabata scored Ishikawa are 1-0 after one inning.</p>
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<p>But Canada, who have 2-1 win-loss record after losing to Italy the evening before, struck right back with Rylie Crane scoring off a Zoe Hicks single to third base.</p>
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<p> Japan counter punched as well in the bottom of the second with left fielder Hotaru Tsukamoto hitting it out of the ground over left centre field.</p>
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<p>But Canada definitely have their bats in better form than last night's game against Italy, with three runs in the top of the third. Erika Polidori's hot to centre right field scored Natalie Wideman before Janet Leung scored on a Larissa Franklin hit to left field and Polidori got home on a passed ball. </p>
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<p>Top of the fifth and a superb dink from Callum Pilgrim over the top of Nodoka Harada, who was back pedalling in right field, scored Grace Messmer and got Pilgrim round to third. Canada 5-2 up in the top of the fifth and fans starting to ask could this be the first time Japan loses to a team other than US since Canada at the 2004 Olympics (1-0) or Australia in the 1998 World Cup?</p>
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<p>Kelsey Harshmann hits Canada's second homer of the game, off Sakura Miwa and out comes the legend Yukiko Ueno, who celebrated her 41st birthday two days ago, to try and turn things around for the 2018 silver medallists with Canada 6-2 ahead in the top of the sixth.</p>
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<p>Out comes pitching legend Sara Groenewegen to try and wrap things up for Canada but with one out Minori Naito gets two back for Japan with a home run that hits the left field foul pole with .Kanna Kudo on first to pull back the score to 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth.</p>
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<p>And another homer, this time to Harada over centre field - 6-5 to Canada.</p>
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<p>With Groenewegen giving up three runs from two hits and two balls on base, coach Kaleigh Rafter called back Morgan Rackel who wrapped up the innings without any further hits, keeping it 6-5 after six innings. </p>
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<p>Quick three and three down from Ueno and one turn at bat left for Japan to see if they can rescue the win.</p>
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<p>Pressure increases on Canada as Japan, with two outs, put two on base with a single and a walk but the Canadian defence is up to the task with Rackel collecting a Naito bunt to throw her out at first, sparking Canadian celebrations. </p>
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<h3>Philippines v Venezuela</h3>
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<p>World No. 26 the Philippines take on No. 22 Venezuela with both teams looking for their first win of the tournament.</p>
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<p>Plenty of hitting in this entertaining game, some to glove, others to ground, but neither side can get a runner home after four innings. Philippines leads four hits to two but on the scoreboard it's still 0-0. </p>
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<p>A short rain shower surprises everyone in the bottom of the fifth to cool off some of this red hot action on the diamond and just as it finished with the sun reappearing Venezuela strike. Loaded bases and Eila Infante gets home after Nicole Hammoude fumbled the ground ball at short stop before her throw to first made Elsie Dela Torre stretch off the base.</p>
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<p>Venezuela up 1-0 and then the moment of the game. Next batter up Yakary Molina at 0-2 smacks a beauty over the left field fence to put Venezuela up 5-0 after five innings. </p>
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<p>There was hint of a comeback from the Philippines in their last turn at bat but with one out and loaded bases but with Mary Magaud's fly ball to centre field caught by Diana Arcay, Reyae Villamin was caught between second and third and eventually tagged out at third to end the game, Venezuela claiming their first win of the tournament 5-1.</p>
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<ul><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/news/xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-where-to-watch-and-keep-up-with-the-group-stage-action"><strong>Where to watch</strong></a></li><li>First time that <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/news/one-month-to-go-explore-valencia-home-of-the-xvii-wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ireland, Spain and Italy</span></strong></a> host a WBSC tournament.</li><li>New <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/news/wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-new-softball-mizuno-m170-to-make-historic-debut-at-group-stage"><strong>sustainable Mizuno ball</strong></a> - the M170 - in play.</li><li>Six teams participating in three groups. Top two teams from Group C “punch a ticket” to the Finals next year. Learn more about the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/news/new-two-stage-format-adds-teams-host-cities-excitement-to-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup"><strong>tournament format here</strong></a>.</li><li>USA and Australia advance to Finals 2024 after finishing first and second in Group A in Ireland. Great Britain finished third. Check out the<a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/news/wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a-day-5-live-blog"><strong> Group A review</strong></a>.</li><li>Puerto Rico and the Netherlands booked the two tickets from Group B in Valencia, Spain. Read the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/news/wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b-day-5"><strong>Group B review</strong></a>.</li><li>First time the new <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/news/new-two-stage-format-adds-teams-host-cities-excitement-to-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup"><strong>two-stage format</strong></a> is being used in a WBSC tournament.</li><li>WBSC Women's Softball World Cup <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-events/womens-softball-world-cup/historic-results"><strong>Full History</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/news/xvii-wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-finals-to-be-played-in-july-2024-in-italy"><strong>XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals</strong></a> to be played in July 2024 in Italy</li></ul>
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