Olympic dreams do come true! When Mexico and Canada earned softball berths to the 2020 Olympic Tokyo Games, San José State had a presence on each of those teams. Current Spartan Suzy Brookshire played for Mexico, while former Spartan Emma Entzminger played for Canada at the WBSC Softball Americas Qualification Event.
Mexico got a 2-1 win over Canada to seal the berth to the 2020 games. Brookshire came to the plate in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and drew a walk from Canadian pitcher Jenna Caira to tie the game at 1-1. Mexico got the second run just two batters later for the win.
Entzminger played a key role in scoring Canada's only run against Mexico. She was hit by a pitch to start the third inning and eventually scored the team's only run on a line-drive double to center field.
Canada then clinched one of the six spots for the 2020 Olympics with a 7-0 win over Brazil. Entzminger went 1-for-2 in the game with an RBI.
The six nations who will play at Tokyo Olympics – United States, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Italy and the winner of this week's WBSC Softball Asia/Oceania qualifier. Mexico will be competing in softball at the Olympics for the first time ever.
Entzminger played third base and shortstop for the Spartans (2015-18), while Brookshire enters her first year with the team after transferring from Sacramento State.
"Emma and Suzy take great pride in representing their respective countries in the Tokyo Olympic Games. To be called an Olympian is a great honor, not only for them, but for all past and present Spartans," said head coach Peter Turner.