It’s a brand new softball game for Canadian Olympic hopefuls
Victoria’s Entzminger can’t wait for 2020 after third-place finish at worlds in Japan
Emma Entzminger of Victoria landed on the podium Sunday in Chiba, Japan. The aim is to repeat in two years when it matters most at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
“To be third in the world is an awesome feeling,” Entzminger said.
Canada settled for the bronze medal following a 3-0 semifinal loss to host Japan at the 2018 women’s world softball championship in Chiba. The United States edged Japan 7-6 in the final in 10 innings.
The world champion was awarded a bye into the 2020 Olympics. Japan’s semifinal win over Canada guaranteed the U.S. that spot even before the championship final was played because Japan is already in for 2020 as Olympic host.
The result proved beneficial for Canada because it takes the powerhouse U.S. out of the equation for Americas regional Olympic qualifying next year, from which two teams will advance to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.
“For sure it helped us,” said Entzminger, a five-foot-six infielder.
Now as top contender for the Americas qualifier, Canada will be favoured to advance. That, however, must be decided on the diamond, not the form charts.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Olympics,” Entzminger said.
“I will do whatever I can to get there.”
The dream is drawing closer for the all-rounder, who helped lead her Lambrick Park teams to B.C. high school titles in volleyball and second in basketball and soccer.
“It’s incredible to see where we are at. … I believe we are right up there with the U.S. and Japan,” Entzminger said.
Sher saw spot duty for Canada in the worlds, playing the semifinal as a pinch runner, but will be working hard to increase her role over the next two years.
“It was a smaller role but a very important role,” she said.
“My goal is to be a starter in the future. But what made us successful at the worlds, and what makes any team successful, is that players accept their given roles with 100 per cent commitment and effort.”
Entzminger graduated in the spring after a standout four seasons of NCAA Div. 1 softball at San Jose State, where she became the Spartans’ all-time career third-best in runs scored with 142, fourth in walks with 85, fifth in double plays turned with 32, sixth in career base percentage at .434, and eighth in assisted outs and sacrifice flies.
“Now that my NCAA career is done, it’s time to chase bigger dreams,” she said.
Entzminger was academic allMountain West conference in each of her four years and will return to San Jose State this fall for a final semester to complete her degree in kinesiology, with an emphasis in physical therapy. That will take her to December.
After that, it will be full-time softball, with Tokyo 2020 the goal.
“We’re not centralized [in Surrey] until next year, so it’s taken a lot of commitment and a lot of dedication from all the Canadian team players [to get ready for the 2018 worlds],” Entzminger said.
The Canadian team head coach is former Victoria Senior A pitching great Mark Smith.
Also on the national team long list is Sarah Chow of Victoria, who has been overcoming injuries this past year.