Canada drops 2-0 decision to Australia at women’s softball world championship

NARASHINO, Japan — Kaleigh Rafter had a pair of hits in Canada’s 2-0 loss to Australia on Sunday at the women’s softball world championship, a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It was the Canadians’ first loss of the tournament, dropping them into a three-way tie with Australia and China for second in Group B at 3-1. Japan sits first with a perfect 4-0 record.

Australia’s Samantha Poole and Clare Warwick reached on back-to-back singles against Canada’s Karissa Hovinga. Poole slid safely into home when Taylah Tsitsikronis grounded out in the second inning.

Leigh Godfrey led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit against Canadian reliever Eujenna Caira and Chelsea Forkin reached on a defensive error. Australia failed to advance the runners with a bunt but, with two outs, Warwick extended the lead with an RBI single to right

Rafter led off the seventh with a base hit for Canada. Australia gave the ball to reliever Justine Smethurst, who got started walking pinch hitter Holly Speers. Victoria Hayward’s bunt attempt was well fielded by Stacey Anne Porter, who got the force out at third. With two outs and the potential tying runs in scoring position, the game ended on a fly to right field by Jennifer Salling.

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In Group A, Monica Abbott threw a no-hitter over four innings and struck out 10 batters as the United States overpowered the Netherlands 11-0.

Abbott issued only one walk while earning her second win of the tournament.

The winner of the tournament will be awarded an Olympic berth. If Japan wins, the second-place finisher will be granted the Olympic spot as Japan has an automatic berth as host.

Softball and baseball were dropped after the 2008 Beijing Olympics but have been added to the program for 2020.

The Americans also beat New Zealand 7-0 on Sunday and are now 4-0 along with Puerto Rico, which beat Taiwan 12-11.

The Associated Press