Canada and Italy both qualified for the playoffs and advance to the championship round, starting on Friday (Thursday CT) at ZOZO Marine Stadium.

Italy vs China

Italy performed extremely well in all facets of the game on the way to a 7-0 victory over China finishing fourth in Group B. Italy will appear in the playoffs of the WBSC Softball World Championship for the fifth time in history.

Italy played a perfect game today against China, in a win-or-go-home game, since the winner would earn the fourth and last place in the playoffs in Group B. Gretta Cecchetti was dominant in the circle and Italy's offense hit the ball very well. 

The European team took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Amanda Fama set the tone early in the game with a leadoff single, and one out later Erika Piancastelli hit an opposite-field home run, taking control of the score.

In the second inning, China's Kailin Xi doubled and Mengyan Wang walked, but Cecchetti retired the next three batters to end the threat.

Italy threatened again with two runners in scoring position and one out, but right-hander Lan Wang struck out Fama and Andrea Howard.

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At the top of the third, Qi Li doubled but again they stranded the runner. After that, Cecchetti retired the next nine batters consecutively, closing the door to any Chinese reaction. The right-hander struck out eight and allowed three hits and a walk to earn the win.

In the bottom of the third the game was decided. Italy rallied for five runs with six singles and put the score 7-0 to secure the victory.

Italy ended the round robin with a record of 4-3 and will play Mexico in the first playoff game of the tournament. China, with the same record, ended fifth and will participate in the placement round.

Canada vs Botswana

Canada defeated Botswana 22-0 in three innings and completed the round robin. The North American team finished third in Group B.

The Canadian team scored 15 runs in the first inning and decided the game quickly.

Courtesy of WBSC