Canadian women face Japan, winner meets USA in tournament final

CHIBA, Japan — Canada is a win away from reaching the final at the 2018 women’s softball world championship. All that stands in its way is host Japan.

The Canadians will play Japan on Sunday with a spot in the championship on the line after back-to-back victories in the playoff round of the tournament, which also doubles as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Canada downed Puerto Rico 10-4 and followed that up with a 12-0 drubbing of Australia on Saturday. Meanwhile, the United States await the winner after the defending champions earned their place in the final with a 4-3 win over the hosts. 

Jennifer Richelle Gilbert led the way for Canada against Puerto Rico, going 3 for 3 with a home run, double and five RBIs.

The Canadians only needed three innings to beat Australia, with the mercy rule coming into play after a seven-run third inning.

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Larissa Nadine Franklin and Erika Jacqueline Anne Polidori both went 3 for 3 with a home run in the win.

Danielle Lawrie started both games and had no problem shutting down the competition. She pitched nine combined scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts in the two games.

Under the tournament’s Page system format, Japan and the U.S. could still meet in the final.

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

Softball and baseball were dropped from the Olympic program after the 2008 Beijing Games but have been restored for 2020.

— With files from The Associated Press

The Canadian Press