Chris Miljavic, Frank De Groat, Jr. Star in Opening Round Win

From: (click to visit)

[Prague, Czech Republic June 18, 2007] –

Decos EHS loses first game to USA 9-2

Miljavec started the rally in the bottom of the first inning for Team USA with a bunt and got to second on a single by Moraga a grounder to Decos EHS Doug Gillis advanced both runners and Miljavec scored on a passed ball by catcher Anthony Beaumont.

Decos EHS got back in the game after a single by Michael Cameron who scored on a hard line drive double by Jeffry Visser. After USA starter Travis Price walked the next batter Pim Winkel, catcher Anthony Beaumont got on first after an bunt and an error by Price which scored Jeffry Visser.

USA got back in the lead in the bottom of the second after a single by Miller and a slap single by Lucas Goring. Miller scored on a passed ball which brought Goring to third. Lalonde walked and both Goring and Lalonde scored on another slap single by Miljavec.

USA scored another two runs on a huge two run HR off the bat of Frank De Groat in the third. Doug Gillis gave Decos EHS a good three innings against the US and was substituted by Kiwi pitcher Jared Welsh. Team USA scored another run in the fifth by Miller and ended the game in the sixth on runs by Moraga and Delarwelle.

A good performance by both teams and Decos EHS certainly got the respect they earned.

Boxscore:

Decos EHS 0-2-0-0-0-0 = 2 4 2
USA 1-3-2-0-1-2 = 9 9 1

Decos EHS: Doug Gillis (LP) 5-1-6 (3 inn)
Jared Welsh 2-3-3 (2 1/3 +2 inn)

HR: Frank De Groat (+1)

Tomorrow Decos EHS will play Venezuela and Czech Rep

Norman Ames
Decos EHS Fastpitch, Haarlem, The Netherlands

E-mail: norman.ames@gielissen.nl
Homepage: www.demo-ehs.nl

USA – Decos EHS 2-9
Prague Stars – Denmark 3-7
Japan – Santa Isabel Zaragoza 6-0
Czech Rep – Tenerife 7-0

(more…)

From our friend in Prague, Czech Republic, Bernie Lopez:

Japan, USA, Denmark, and CZ First Round Winners at 2007 World Cup

The first four games played were Japan 6 – Spain 0 ; USA 6 – Demo DHS (Dutch) 2 ; Danmark 7 – Praque All-Stars 3 ; Czechs 7 – Halcones (Spain) 0.

The tournament is quite the spectacle here in the Czech Republic. The stands are full of loud and rumbunctious fans and two games a day are being broadcasted on National TV.

Unfortunately, the Venezuelan team arrived late so some last minute schedule shuffling took place. The games to watch (in my humble and unbiased opinion) are Team USA vs Japan and Team USA vs the Czech team.

Editor’s note: (We received some photos too, so keep an eye out for those later tonight)

VS.

Thanks to our friend on Prince Edward Island, Canada, Pat Healey for his recap of the opening round games of the New Zealand Black Sox vs. Canada series.

Ellsworth helps cause as Canada splits test series opener with Kiwis
BY PAT HEALEY

ORILLIA, ONT. – Jeff Ellsworth of Alberton left a mark for Team Canada in the opener of a three doubleheader, six game International test series with New Zealand Thursday night.

The Alberton recreation director continued his recent torrid hitting, going 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI to help lead Canada to the 8-4 win over the Kiwis before 500 fans at Tudhope Park here in Orillia. New Zealand bounced back to earn the split with a 5-0 win in the second game.

Derek Mayson (3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI’s), Jody Eidt (1-for-4 with a solo home run), Rob Gray (1-for-2, run scored, two walks) and Kevin Schellenberg (2-for-3, run scored) also were tops at the dish.

Stacey McLean (1-for-1 walk, two RBIs) and Jarrad Martin (1-for-1 run scored) led the Kiwis at the plate.

Dean Holoien earned the win in relief of starter Rob O’brien. Holoien went two innings allowing one hit, walking one and fanning one batter. one hit while striking out three. Trevor Ethier relieved Holoien, going two innings fanning one batter, giving up two earned runs on two hits and walking one.

Jeremy Manley suffered the loss allowing four runs on five hits in five and one third innings of work while striking out three. Michael Gaiger finished the game off giving up three runs in one and two-third innings relief work.

The second game was a much different story, as the Kiwi’s blanked the Canucks 5-0 as Heinie Shannon pitched a complete game two-hitter to lead New Zealand and earn the split.

Nathan Nukunuku (2-for-4) and Travis Wilson each drove in two runs for the win. Pat Shannon hit a two-run triple to make it 5-0 and eventually earn the win.

Jody Eidt was 1-for-2 with a walk for the lone top Canuck hitter.

Rick Smith suffered the loss in relieve of starter Todd Martin.

Ellsworth did not play as head coach Mark Smith worked his 24 man roster into action during the first doubleheader.

From: (click to visit)

[PRAGUE, CZ] – Prague, Czech Republic is proud to host for the first time top world event – ISF Men’s World Cup. World Cup is an open format tournament, which brings the best level fastpitch in european history. Five national teams – USA, Japan, Venezuela, Czech Republic, Denmark plus 4 other teams (mostly empowered by oversea players) – DemoEHS from Holland, Tenerife Halcons and Real Zaragoza from Spain and second Czech team named Prague Stars promise great week.

Tournament will be played in the venue of Krc Altron and first games start on Monday, June 18, at 2 pm. Grand Final is scheduled for Sunday, June 24, at 5,30 pm.

Czech National TV will broadcast 5 games live, three from the round robin and than Final and Grand Final.

Part of this exceptional event is also series of seminars for players and coaches led by trainers and players from US and Japanese team. These clinics are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Follow the tournament and its results on Czech Softball official website www.softball.cz

Pavel Prachar

European Softball Development
pracharpavel@gmail.com