Canada sweep Puerto Rico, advance to WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026
World No. 3 Canada swept No. 9 Puerto Rico in a best-of-five playoff series to become the 11th team qualified for the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026. Canada outscored Puerto Rico 32-3.
The Results
April 30 Puerto Rico-Canada 0-14
May 1 Canada-Puerto Rico 8-3
May 1 Puerto Rico- Canada 0-10
Inclement weather postponed game one and moved it to Falardo.
Raine Pedgham allowed Puerto Rico only one hit and a walk over five innings, while striking out seven. Canada made the most of a leadoff fielding error against starter Angelis Rivera with an RBI double by Mia Valcke, an RBI single by Zilzée Gélinas, and Cassie Matlock's sacrifice fly, and they broke the score open with a six-run top of the second, highlighted by Andréanne Leblanc's three-run homer off reliever Mirelys Adorno, ending the series opener in five innings.
The series went back to Carolina for a Friday, May 1, double header.
Michelle Roche pitched five scoreless innings, allowing Puerto Rico only two hits and left with a comfortable 7-0 lead.
The hosts got to relievers Elisabeth Gilder and Mikael Fields, scoring three runs on three hits and three walks, one in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Canada's offence combined for ten hits, with shortstop Mia Valcke going 3-for-3, with a triple and four runs scored. Second base Madison Willan had three RBIs
Canada used a pair of four-run rallies, in the top of the second and the top of the sixth, against Danna Gonzalez and Fabiana Ortiz to end the rubber match in six innings.
Centre fielder Sena Catterall went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Catcher Lucie Anctil, shortstop Ela Day-Bédard and third base Emily Baxter enjoyed a two-hit game.
Allison Schroder allowed only two hits and a walk, while striking out five in five scoreless innings. Puerto Rico loaded the bases on two hits and a walk against reliever Jaida Lee but failed to score.
The Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026
Canada will join No. 2 USA, No. 6 Mexico, No. 8 Hong Kong-China, No. 10 Australia and No. 12 Korea in Group Rockford (Illinois, USA) from July 22 to 27.
Tainan (TPE) will host the other group from August 23 to 27. Five of the six participants have qualified: No. 1 Japan, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 6 Chinese Taipei, No. 7 Cuba, and No. 28 Great Britain. The WBSC will announce a Wild Card for the sixth team on Tuesday, May 5.
Finals 2027
The top three finishers from each group will advance to the Finals, which Rockford will host from July 19 to 25, 2027.
Categories: Americas , Baseball , Women's Baseball World Cup
