WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C Day 2: Italy beat Canada to go top of Group C
Italy beat New Zealand and Canada and is now the only team with a 3-0 record in Group C of the XVII WBSC Women's Softball World Cup. Italy played solid defence behind starter Christina Toniolo and supported her with timely hitting.
Japan is also undefeated after Day 2.
Day 2 results
| Italy-New Zealand | 9-0 | BOX SCORE | GAME REPORT |
| Canada- Venezuela | 6-2 | BOX SCORE | GAME REPORT |
| Japan-Philippines | 13-0 (4 innings) | BOX SCORE | GAME REPORT |
| Italy- Canada | 6-1 | BOX SCORE | GAME REPORT |
Italy v Canada
Italy needed some good defensive play to help starter Christina Toniolo get out from the first couple of inning with no damage. The Azzurre got to Canadian pitchers between the third and the fourth inning and earned a key win.
Starting pitchers Christina Toniolo and Dawn Bodrug kept the score tied at zero for two innings. Canada made a few hard contacts. On one of these, Erika Piancastelli robbed an extra base hit from Erika Polidori.
Marta Gasparotto put Italy on the board in the bottom of the third with an RBI chopper that beat shortstop Janet Leung diving attempt.
Giulia Longhi hit a two-out and two-RBI single off reliever Sara Groenewegen to extend Italy's league to 3-0. The Azzurre added two runs on a base hit by Gasparotto and their sixth on a wild pitch.
Alexia Lacatena took over for Toniolo and retired the side in order to end the game.
Italy v New Zealand
World No. 8 Italy defeated No. 29 New Zealand 9-0. The hosts used the long ball to open the score in the seventh.
Italy wasted no time against Tyneesha Hokkamau. The first four batters reached first, and the Azzurre scored the go ahead run as McKenzie Barbara walked.
Italy made it 2-0 in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Marta Gasparotto. Giulia Longhi scored from third.
McKenzie Barbara led off the seventh with a home run against reliever Amy Begg and made it 3-0.
A two-RBI triple by Alessandra Rotondo broke the score open and Erkia Piancastelli made it 9-0 with the second home run of the innings.
Canada-Venezuela
World No. 5 Canada earned their second win in the tournament as they beat No. 22 Venezuela.
Canada got to Venezuela's starter Loreley Francia with consecutive hits by Erika Polidori and Larissa Franklin to take a 3-0 lead in the first. They extended the lead in the second on the inside-the-park home run by Emma.Entzminger.
Canada's starter Morgan Rackel allowed only one hit over four innings. Venezuela got on the scoreboard against reliever Samantha Ryan.
Japan-Philippines
World No. 2 Japan needed only four innings to beat the Philippines and earn their second win.
Japan scored seven runs in the top of the first against Celyn Ojare and Glory Alonzo. They went at bat 12 times and collected six hits, including an inside-the-park home run by Kyoko Ishikawa.
Despite a big gap, the Philippines stayed in the game. Center fielder Christy Roa completed a masterful running catch.
Sakura Miwa pitched two perfect innings for Japan. The Philippines got their first hit against two-time Olympic gold medallist Yukiko Ueno, who made her debut in the tournament. They loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with one out, but the game ended on a double play.
