WPBL Talent Shines in Canada Series Sweep

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CAROLINA, Puerto Rico — Canada punched its ticket to the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage with a three-game sweep of Puerto Rico in the Women’s Baseball World Cup Qualifying Series, winning by scores of 14-0, 8-3 and 10-0 at Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium.

The series featured strong performances throughout both rosters, including a number of players who will soon take the field in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League season.

Game 1 — Canada 14, Puerto Rico 0 (5 innings)

Canada came out swinging in the opener, collecting 12 hits in a five-inning run-rule victory behind a dominant outing from Raine Padgham, who struck out seven while allowing just one hit in a complete-game shutout.

Canada’s offense was led by Andréanne Leblanc, who launched a three-run home run, while Alizée Gélinas drove in four runs. Mia Valcke went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three runs scored, Claire Eccles added a triple and two RBIs, and Madison Willan reached base twice and scored three runs.

Ela Day-Bédard also made an impact off the bench with a pinch-hit single and stolen base.

Puerto Rico continued to battle throughout the game, highlighted by a fourth-inning single from Yairka Moran Pagan.

Game 2 — Canada 8, Puerto Rico 3

Canada carried its momentum into Friday afternoon’s second game, earning an 8-3 victory behind another strong all-around performance.

Michelle Roche earned the win in the circle with five shutout innings and five strikeouts, while Liz Gilder added a scoreless inning in relief.

At the plate, Mia Valcke stayed red hot with a 3-for-3 performance and four runs scored. Madison Willan drove in three runs, while Gélinas and Leblanc continued their strong series with multi-hit efforts. Claire Eccles added another hit and scored once.

Puerto Rico showed resilience late in the game, scoring three runs over the final two innings. Jonaliz Ayala Sierra delivered an RBI single and Danna Gonzalez Ramirez added an RBI groundout as the hosts continued to pressure offensively.

Game 3 — Canada 10, Puerto Rico 0 (6 innings)

Canada officially clinched the series Friday night with another run-rule victory, collecting 14 hits in a 10-0 win.

Sena Catterall hit an inside-the-park home run and finished with three RBIs. Ela Day-Bédard turned in one of the standout performances of the series, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. Claire Eccles added two hits, two runs scored and two stolen bases, while Lucie Anctil, Emily 

Baxter and Ariane Domingue also contributed RBIs.

Alli Schroder tossed five shutout innings to earn the win, allowing just two hits while striking out five. Jaida Lee worked a scoreless sixth inning to finish the combined shutout.

Puerto Rico continued to show flashes throughout the finale, getting hits from Adrix Paradizo Ramos, Yairka Moran Pagan, Janiliz Rivera Cruz and Luz Feliciano Ramos.

Series Highlights

The qualifying series showcased the growing international depth of women’s baseball and featured a strong group of future WPBL players throughout all three games.

For Canada, WPBL players played major roles across the lineup and pitching staff:

• Andréanne Leblanc (San Francisco) — home run, 5 RBI in series
• Madison Willan (New York) — 3 RBI in Game 2
• Michelle Roche (Los Angeles) — winning pitcher in Game 2
• Alli Schroder (Boston) — 5 shutout innings in Game 3
• Raine Padgham (Boston) — complete-game one-hit shutout in Game 1
• Jaida Lee (New York) — scoreless relief appearance in Game 3
• Liz Gilder (San Francisco) — scoreless relief appearance in Game 2
• Ela Day-Bédard (San Francisco) — key offensive spark in Games 1 and 3
• Claire Eccles (New York) — multiple extra-base hits, speed and defense throughout series

What’s Next

With the series win, Canada advances to the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage in Rockford, Illinois, set for July 22-27, 2026.

Canada will join:

• United States
• Mexico
• Australia
• Korea
• Hong Kong, China

The top three teams from the Rockford group will advance to the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals in 2027.

Puerto Rico’s young roster also gained valuable experience on the international stage as the program continues building toward future WBSC competition.