Olympics-Softball-Canada win bronze by beating Mexico 3-2

The United States play Japan for the gold medal later on Tuesday in a rematch of the final in 2008, when softball was last an Olympic sport. Canada benefited from a bunt single and Mexico fielding error to jump ahead 2-0.

Canada's 15 softball players embraced in circle at midfield to celebrate their bronze-medal victory over Mexico 3-2 at the Tokyo Games on Tuesday. The record finish for Canada comes after they played in each of softball's four earlier Olympic appearances without topping fourth place.

Mexico had not been in the Olympics before. The sun emerged right after the final out of a drizzle-soaked game. The United States play Japan for the gold medal later on Tuesday in a rematch of the final in 2008, when softball was last an Olympic sport.

Canada benefited from a bunt single and Mexico fielding error to jump ahead 2-0. Mexico inched back. Suzannah Brookshire hollered in happiness on her way to first base on a game-tying single that sent her team mates into a dance with their rain towels.

But Kelsey Harshman drove in the game-winning run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly off of Mexico pitcher Danielle O'Toole, who pitched the entire game. O'Toole deeply exhaled as she watched Canada pitcher Danielle Lawrie near the game's last out.

Canada turned to Lawrie and two of their other four pitchers to hold off Mexico just enough. Mid-game drizzle forced media and officials to hustle on ponchos, and O'Toole took a timeout to ask for a towel that had to be snipped from a larger piece for her.

Canada spelled out their country's name and yelled "Let's go Canada" to no one in particular before posing for victory photos around the field. In a reminder of COVID-19's affect on these Games, the match's official score sheet had a blank for attendance.