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Abbotsford’s Raine Padgham, Team Canada qualify for World Cup finals

Canada finishes 4-1 at Thunder Bay event, Padgham joins TRU Wolfpack in the fall
Ben Lypka
Ben Lypka
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Abbotsford’s Raine Padgham had two strong showing on the mound for Canada at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup (Baseball Canada photo)

Abbotsford’s Raine Padgham and Team Canada finished at 4-1 at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup and have qualified for the finals next summer.

Group A qualification for next year’s finals ran from Aug. 8 to 13 in Thunder Bay, Ont., with six teams battling it out for three spots in 2024. Next month in Japan will see six other teams compete for the final three spots in 2024.

Canada opened with an 8-1 win over Mexico on Aug. 8. Padgham was the starting pitcher on game one and she allowed one hit and one run in four innings to collect the win. She also recorded five strikeouts.

Canada crushed Hong Kong 22-3 on Aug. 9 and Padgham drew into the lineup as a left fielder. She had one hit and two runs batted in in three plate appearances.

The Americans then handed Canada a 23-0 loss on Aug. 10. Padgham did not dress in that game and Canada managed just three hits against the USA.

The club bounced back with an 11-7 win over Australia on Aug. 12. Padgham entered the game in the fifth inning and Canada scored seven runs in the final two innings to earn the win. She allowed six hits and three runs in three innings pitched and earned the win. She also recorded three strikeouts and three walks.

Canada closed with a 10-0 win over Korea on Aug. 13. Padgham played centre field and picked up two hits (one double and one single) and scored two runs.

The 4-1 record placed Canada at second in Group A and punches the country’s ticket to next year’s finals, which also occur in Thunder Bay. The USA (5-0) and Mexico (3-2) also qualified from Group A.

Group B features Japan, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico and France.

The 2024 finals will occur in the summer of 2024, but dates have not yet been announced.

Padgham next joins the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack, where she is set to be the first-ever female to suit up for that school’s baseball team.

RELATED: Abbotsford’s Raine Padgham becomes first female player on TRU baseball team

Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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