Morgan Reimer, the 19-year-old native of 黑马磁力, made an impact on the mound this past week, helping Team Canada to silver at the Canada Cup International Softball Championships.
She proved her worth, and added value on the diamond, from pitching relief in two innings and striking out one to help Team Canada capture gold in a 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico to claim the title of Pan American Champions and securing a World Cup group stage spot, to dominating in Canada鈥檚 opener against New Zealand by pitching four innings 鈥� allowing three hits and giving up only one run, while striking out three leading them to an 8-1 victory.
"It means a lot to me, because it鈥檚 been a dream of mine to play with these girls and pursue the Olympic dream," Reimer shared, early on in the 10-day tournament in Surrey.
"Yeah, I think that these past experiences help a lot to get on to the Canadian national team, but I鈥檓 really glad that the coaches believed in me and what this team is capable of doing," said the Walnut Grove teen.
Reimer spoke to the 黑马磁力 after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Team Czechia in Game 3 on July 9 at Softball City, where the team lost via a walk off home run in the bottom of the seventh-inning. In Day 1 for the team, they beat New Zealand by 8-1, and defeated Ukraine 15-0. Then, following the loss to Czechia on Day 2, Reimer and the Canadian team rallied back on Day 3 to defeat Team BC 8-1 and SoCal Sting by the score of 11-0.
In the matchup with SoCal, Reimer picked up her second win of the tournament going the distance pitching 3.1 innings allowing just one hit while recording 11 strikeouts in an 11-0 win versus the Sting in a shortened 4-inning game 鈥� due to a mercy rule of 10 runs or more against their opponents.
On Day 4, going up against Triple Crown Colorado, Canada was victorious by the score of 7-3, and on Day 5 they trumped Team Kingdom of the Netherlands, 6-1.
The college freshman, who has also been dominant in softball in U.S. 鈥� racking up 125 strikeouts, five complete games, and four saves 鈥� believed that despite the 1-0 loss Wednesday to Czechia, Team Canada was on the right trajectory at the 2025 Canada Cup.
鈥淵es, absolutely I think that we showed what we were capable of doing and winning gold and the expectations that we have for ourselves moving forward. I think that every experience can be used 鈥� whether it鈥檚 good or bad鈥� and it鈥檚 valuable knowledge you can use moving into the future,鈥� she said.
She held to the hope that the team could repeat as champions at the 2025 Canada Cup, after the team beat Colorado 7-0 last year to capture the 2024 trophy. But sadly, it wasn't to be. They faced the same rivals as last year, and fell to Triple Crown Colorado, 7-5, in the finals on Sunday evening.
鈥淵eah, it鈥檚 always amazing to represent my country or my province or even my city, so I鈥檓 just really excited to have the success that I鈥檝e have with my teammates,鈥� said Reimer to the sound of blaring music in the background and fans patiently waiting for an autograph and a photo with her after one of their earlier games.
The 5 ft. 8 in. pitching phenom, who wore number 8 for Team Canada, remained optimistic she could contribute to the team's success during the tournament.
鈥淚 think that I鈥檓 able to use my teammates and those around me well, I focus on defensive with ground balls and communicate with my coaches on what I need and what I need from them, as well. Yes, I think that I use my defensive and my teammates to help me control the game and the confidence that they give me, helps me, have confidence in my abilities," Reimer said.
"I like to contribute to the team however I can, to get wins.鈥�
Reimer was glad her family and friends were able to see her compete and play softball on a world stage against the best international competition, and to do so right in her backyard.
"My family and my friends mean so much to me. I鈥檓 super excited because they are able to come and watch me play here, so I love the Canada Cup for that and to be able to play at home in front of them and I know that their belief and support have really shaped who I am as a softball player on and off the field," Reimer concluded.
