#TokyoToppers: Franklin, Canada Open Olympic Run Against Mexico
Former Hilltopper outfielder Larissa Franklin and the Canadian National Softball Team open their 2020 Olympic Tournament tonight* against…
Former Hilltopper outfielder Larissa Franklin and the Canadian National Softball Team open their 2020 Olympic Tournament tonight* against Team Mexico.
*First pitch is set for 15:00 JST or 1 a.m. CT
Softball is making its return to the games for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, where Team Canada placed a best-ever fourth place, going 3–4 in the round-robin schedule before falling in the semifinals to eventual bronze medalists Australia, 5–3.
Tonight’s game will mark Mexico’s Olympic softball debut, the only debut nation in this year’s Games.
While this year marks Franklin’s Olympic debut, it is not her first time representing the True North, having played on Team Canada in the Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019 Pan-Am Games. She’s also been on five medal-winning teams, including the 2015 Pan-Am gold medal.
In the 2019 Olympic Qualifier, which punched Canada’s ticket to the games, the Canucks hit .446/.679/.515, relying on small-ball softball to score 76 runs (hit just six home runs and just 25 extra base hits).
Franklin hit .353/.647/.353 (6-for-17) with a double, two triples, five runs scored and six RBI.
Projected Canada Lineup
Victoria Hayward — LF
Kelsey Harshman (nee Jenkins) — 2B
Jennifer Gilbert — RF
Jennifer Salling — DP
Kaleigh Rafter — C
Larissa Franklin — CF
Emma Entzminger — 3B
Joey Lye — SS
Janet Leung — 1B
For those of you able to watch live, the game will be broadcast on NBCSN, with replays available online afterwards.