Sara Groenewegen, Dawn Bodrug combined shutout gives Canada 4-0 win over New Zealand

Canada defeated New Zealand, 4-0, in Tuesday's first game at Buttrio and advanced to the playoffs with a 4-1 record. Sara Groenewegen and Dawn Bodrug combined for the shutout with eight strikeouts against three hits.

Canada took the lead in the bottom of the first, with consecutive doubles to left field by Janet Leung and Erika Polidori. 

Polidori again had a productive at bat in the third frame, with a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Kelsey Harshman. Canada’s second baseman had singled and then moved to third on Leung’s second double of the game. Leung herself then scored with a sacrifice fly by Grace Messmer.

Canada added the last run of the game in the fourth as Kianna Jones hit a solo homer to the center field.

With this result, the Canadians booked a spot in the playoffs. The remaining results in the Opening Round will determine their final position in the standings.