Women's National Team opens World Cup Group Stage tourney with dominant win over Hong Kong
The Women’s National Team defeated Hong Kong 13-0 in their opening game of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage in Rockford, Ill., on Wednesday. Photo: Baseball Canada
July 22, 2026
Baseball Canada
ROCKFORD, Illinois – Canada's Women's National Team opened the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage in dominant fashion on Wednesday, defeating Hong Kong 13-0 in five innings at Rivets Stadium.
Canada used a balanced offensive attack and a stellar performance from starting pitcher Raine Padgham (Burnaby, B.C.) to move to 1-0 in tournament play.
Padgham was nearly untouchable in her tournament debut, retiring the first 12 batters she faced before surrendering a one-out single in the fifth inning. The right-hander finished with 4 2/3 innings pitched, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth, Michelle Roche (Burnaby, B.C.) entered in relief and recorded the game's final out to preserve the shutout as the contest ended under the tournament's run rule.
Canada broke through in the bottom of the third inning. Cassie Matlock (Edmonton, Alta.) lined a two-run single into right field before Camille Proulx (Laval, Que.) added a two-run single later in the inning as Canada sent 10 batters to the plate and built a 5-0 advantage.
The offence continued to roll in the fourth. Ela Dy-Bédard (Gatineau, Que.) tripled and later scored, while Lucie Anctil (La Pocatière, Que.) drove in another run with a single to extend Canada's lead to 7-0.
Canada put the game out of reach with a six-run fifth inning. RBI hits from Andréanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.), Kyanna Faucher (Beauce, Que.), Alizée Gélinas (Trois-Rivières, Que.), Lucie Anctil, and Frédérique Noël (Bois-des-Filion, Que.) highlighted the decisive frame.
Canada returns to action on Thursday when it takes on Korea at 4 p.m. E.T.
WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage Schedule
*All games at Rivets Stadium
July 22 – Canada 13, Hong Kong 0
July 23 – Canada vs. Korea (4PM ET)
July 24 – Canada vs. Mexico (4PM ET)
July 25 – Canada vs. United States (8PM ET)
July 26 – Canada vs. Australia (4PM ET)