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Jul 13, 2026 10:25 PM - Pervez Sandhu - with files from the Canada Cup
Team Canada completed a remarkable week at the 2026 Canada Cup International Softball Championship on Sunday, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning to erase a one-run deficit and defeat Team China 7-3 in the championship game at Softball City.
After cruising through round robin and playoff action, Canada faced its toughest test of the tournament in the final. Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, the Canadians erupted for five runs, highlighted by a three-run home run from Kelsey Harshman, to secure the Canada Cup title in dramatic fashion.
Harshman led the offensive attack with three RBIs, while Emma Entzminger, Grace Messmer, and Harshman each collected two hits. Entzminger's game-tying triple in the fourth inning sparked Canada's comeback before Harshman's late heroics put the championship out of reach.
In the circle, Sara Groenewegen started for Team Canada before Morgan Reimer delivered three strong innings of relief, allowing just one hit while striking out three to earn the victory. Canada also played flawless defence, committing no errors in the championship game.
With the victory, Team Canada capped an outstanding tournament, finishing undefeated and capturing the 2026 Canada Cup International Softball Championship in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Softball City.
Emma Entzminger, in an interview with News Director Pervez Sandhu said, “I am so proud of this team, and the fight continued going into the 7th inning and I had the belief in the team that we could do it and we sure did.”
While talking to Connect FM, Grace Messmer said, “we are happy to be the champions after being the runner-up last year and we are happy to be in front of the home crowd and I am from here and lot of others are too.”
Coach Kaleigh Rafter in the post match interview with Connect FM said, "the focus right now is going to be on each tournament at a time, but the 2028 Olympics remain the bigger goal for the team."
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