Samantha Ryan returns from WBSC Softball World Cup with bronze medal
MONROE. Monroe-Woodbury pitcher helps Canada with its first-ever medal at the Junior or U-19 at the world level.
![Samantha Ryan returns from WBSC Softball World Cup with bronze medal Crusaders teammates welcome home Samantha Ryan.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/660x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/BBSC/pn-samantha-ryan-softball-1_4-84310_20190820120658.jpg)
![Samantha Ryan returns from WBSC Softball World Cup with bronze medal Samantha Ryan at home with her bronze medal that she helped the Canadian U-19 team win.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/339x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/BNYQ/pn-samantha-ryan-softball-11_4-84311_20190820120659.jpg)
![Samantha Ryan returns from WBSC Softball World Cup with bronze medal The Ryans: Patrick, Danielle, Samantha and Tammy were surprised by family and friends when they returned from the World Cup.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/541x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/UOYA/pn-samantha-ryan-softball-12_4-84312_20190820120700.jpg)
![Samantha Ryan returns from WBSC Softball World Cup with bronze medal Samantha and Crusader Head Coach Penny Roberts look forward to the 2020 softball season.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/477x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/XPYV/pn-samantha-ryan-softball-13_4-84313_20190820120702.jpg)
![Samantha Ryan returns from WBSC Softball World Cup with bronze medal Samantha Ryan pitching during a game last April at home in Central Valley against Arlington High School. She struck out nine in five innings during this outing.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/501x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/IVFA/pn-samantha-ryan-softball-in-season_4-84314_20190820120703.jpg)
Sunday, August 18
On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 18, Samantha Ryan returned home with the bronze medal that she helped the Canadian softball U-19 win at the WBSC Softball World Cup.
Samantha's mother Tammy is from Canada and Samantha holds a duel citizenship. Crusader Head Coach Penny Roberts found out about the Canadian junior team auditions and urged Samantha to try out.
Out of more than 500 players, only 27 were invited back. From there the team was cut down to 17 players.
The World Cup was held in Irvine, California, from Aug. 8 through Aug. 17 and featured the 16 best teams from around the world.
Samantha started five games and posted a 2-1 record for the Canadians while striking out 18 in 23.1 innings of work.
The third-place finish marked the first time the Canadian team had ever earned a medal at the Junior or U-19 at the world level.
Samantha was surprised as she arrived home by her family and friends as they all celebrated her achievements and her team's success.
Samantha should be on the mound again this year as the Crusaders continue to pursue the Section 9 tittle.
- William Dimmit