Ottawa, Ontario – One of the greatest pitchers to ever step inside the circle at University Field has made history again for herself. Dawn Bodrug has been selected to join the Canadian Women's National Softball Team, Softball Canada and the Women's National Team coaching staff has announced. 

"The opportunity to represent Team Canada means the world to Dawn and her family. Dawn has worked diligently to realize her goal of being named to the Canadian National Team, and we are so proud of her. She is part of an amazing group of world-class athletes. We look forward to following Dawn and her teammates in the upcoming Women's Softball World Cup," said Stony Brook softball head coach Megan T. Bryant. 

Bodrug will be competing with the national team at the 2023 Canada Cup from July 10-16, and the 2023 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage from July 22-26, in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy.

Bodrug joins 16 of the country's top collegiate and professional softball players after advancing through three regional identification camps and one final selection camp. The team is coached by a staff of seven that is headlined by head coach Kaleigh Rafter from Florida State University. 

"The importance of representing my country is so big to me, it's hard to put it into words sometimes but to be able to play the sport I love while being a role model for little girls all over is the best feeling ever," said Bodrug.

The native of Georgetown, Ontario, Bodrug has experience playing for Team Canada after competing with Team Canada in the 2022 WBSC Americas Women's Pan American Championship, 2022 Celebration Tour, and 2022 Canada Cup International Softball Championship. 

In her final season for the Seawolves in 2022, she went 19-7 with a 2.00 ERA in 29 games (25 starts). Bodrug tossed 22 complete games, 10 shutouts, and picked up two saves. She compiled four no-hitters and tallied 285 strikeouts, which marked a new Stony Brook single-season record. Also, she ranked fifth in the nation in shutouts, sixth in strikeouts per seven innings, and 10th in strikeouts. 

Bodrug ended her career top-five in numerous all-time Stony Brook softball program records such as wins (39), strikeouts (606), shutouts (20), and no-hitters (6). 

Currently ranked fifth in the WBSC Women's Softball World Rankings, Team Canada qualified for the WBSC World Cup Group Stage and the 2023 Pan American Games after Bodrug and the team earned the silver medal at the 2022 WBSC Pan American Championship held from November 12-19, in Guatemala City. 

"It's truly overwhelming, in the best way possible, to play for my country on the international stage, and inspire every generation behind me not only in Canada but across the world. Playing for this team is so much more than softball and I remember being the little girl idolizing this team," said Bodrug.

A total of 18 teams have been split into three groups for the 2023 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup, with the top two teams in each group's final standing advancing to the Finals that will be held in 2024 in Italy. Team Canada is in Group C, which is accompanied by No. 2 Japan, No. 8 Italy, No.22 Venezuela, No. 26 Philippines, and No. 28 New Zealand.  

The 2023 Canada Cup is from July 10-16, in Surrey, B.C., and will be held for the 26th year with the top athletes from all-across Canada and the world as well as more than 1,500 elite athletes at the national and club level. 

For live video of the event, follow along here. 

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