Canada edged by defending champion Japan at women’s baseball World Cup

VIERA, Fla. — The Canadians came away a confident bunch despite their first loss at the women’s baseball World Cup.

Canada limited five-time defending champion Japan to just two-hit ball, but couldn’t pull off the potential upset after a rain delay in a 2-1 loss on Friday.

“I think we proved tonight that we have what it takes to beat Japan,” said Canadian Manager Andre Lachance. “Our players, and many of our younger players were not intimidated tonight and we had success.

“We feel good about ourselves and hope to get a shot at (Japan) later in the tournament.”

Emma March cashed in Kelsey Lalor in the sixth inning for Canada’s lone run after the Japanese picked up runs in the bottom of the first and fifth.

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Ottawa’s Hannah Martensen took over on the mound from starter Liz Gilder of Port Moody, B.C. in the first after a weather delay. 

She allowed six of Canada’s 11 walks as the free passes came back to haunt the Canadians on both runs allowed.

Madison Willan held Japan off the scoreboard in the fourth, but in the fifth a walk and a pair of costly errors made it 2-0.

“Over time if you give a team like Japan opportunity they’re going to take advantage and that’s what happened in some situations tonight,” said Lachance.

“We put some players in tough spots tonight and I’m really happy with the way that they handled them.”

The Canadians (2-1), defending silver medallists at the biennial event, out hit Japan 8-2.

Japan (3-0), ranked No. 1, has won the last five women’s World Cups. Canada has won silver twice and bronze three times at the event.

Two-time world MVP Ayami Sato kept the Canadians in line, going six innings with seven strikeouts and one run against.

“Sato still made pitches when she needed to and kept her team in the game,” said Lachance. “It was pretty exciting for us to see some of the contact we were able to get off of her. Hopefully this will give our hitters confidence moving forward.”

Daphnee Gelinas, Lalor and Jenna Flannigan had two hits apiece for Canada.

Canada plays Australia (2-1) on Saturday in Group B action as round-robin play continues.

The Canadian Press