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FASTPITCH: Team Canada defeats world champion Japan in Surrey tournament

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SOUTH SURREY — Heading into this year's Canadian Open Fastpitch tournament, Team Japan was the team to beat.

On Thursday, Team Canada did just that.

Canadian Open Fastpitch International Tournament
A Team Japan player sends a pitch from Jenna Caira to the outfield early in Thursday's game between Canada and Japan. - Jacob Zinn

The senior women's national team defeated the reigning world champion 7-5 on Day 7 of competition. Hundreds of locals turned out to Softball City to support the team in one of the most anticipated games of the tournament.

Team Canada fell behind in the first inning, giving up four runs to Team Japan while unable to make it to home. But the team mounted a comeback, making the score 6-5 in their favour by the end of the fourth.

Fans sat on the edge of their seat over the next three innings as neither team made anymore runs, until Team Canada made it around the bases once more, ending the game 7-5.

Currently, Team Canada is undefeated in the tournament: They blanked the NJCAA All Stars and Team Dominican Republic, dominated Team Mexico 9-1 and fended off Team Cuba 9-2.

Despite the win over Team Japan brining their win-loss record to 5-0, Canada is currently tied with the returning champions at 10 points each in the standings.

Team Canada is set to play Basque Country - Spain today (Friday, July 10) at 1 p.m. and Team Puerto Rico later on at 6:30 p.m. They're also set to take on the Rivercity Hornets on Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m., with other games to be determined as the tournament carries on.

For tournament schedules and other information, check canadianopenfastpitch.com.