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USA Jr. Men Take on Canada Tonight in Pivotal Game

Tuesday, June 28th, 2005

Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada

The USA Jr. Men’s team takes on Canada tonight at 8pm (ADT, one hour ahead of eastern time), in a pivotal game in the ISF Jr World Championships in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The young men are coming off a big 8-1 win over Argentina that runs their record to 2-2. They opened the tournament with a win over Czech Republic, then lost to the two-time defending champions, Australia, lost a close one to New Zealand, followed by the win over Argentina.

The top four teams make it to the playoff round this weekend. Right now, the USA Jr. Men sit in fifth place, behind New Zealand (5-0), Australia (4-0), Japan (4-0), and Canada (3-1). Canada still has to play Australia, but the USA still has Japan on the schedule.

Reports out of Summerside indicate that Japan may be the strongest overall team, though Australia with the strongest pitching in Adam Folkard. Folkard is only 19, but busting the radar gun at 80 plus and is “the real deal”. He will pitch with the Fargo IS Knights this summer, alongside Michael White in the ISC World Tournament. Going into the tournament, many prognosticators had Australia, New Zealand and Canada as the favorites, with Japan a question mark. Japan is proving itself, including a win already over Canada, so a win tonight over Canada would go a long way towards their goal of making the medal round “Final Four”.

Four years ago, the team looked overmatched, finishing ninth, so they have already gone a long way to improving on that. One knowledgeable source said that the USA kids look to be the most athletic team in the tournament, just not as much experience as some of the other sides.

It looks like we’ll get some info during the USA vs. Canada game, so watch this post for updated information during the game.

Australia takes on Japan in a 6pm battle of unbeatens. Again, that’s PEI time (ADT), one hour ahead of EST, and 4 hours ahead of us. That translates to a 4pm start for the USA-Canada game on the west coast. I’m told the games are running a little behind, so it might not start right on time.

Click Here to visit the official Website for the ISF Jr. World Championships.

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Kevin Castillo, Jason Loe and Camden Decker Lead the Way for USA Jr. Men in Win Over Argentina

Monday, June 27th, 2005

Three-man attack powers U.S. over Argentina SUMMERSIDE – The U.S. got down early but used a big game from three key players en route to an 8-1, five-inning win over Argentina on day four at the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Very Important Field in Summerside. The crowd of about 750 fans saw Argentina score the first run of the game when Federico Ederet came around and crossed the plate on an illegal pitch after reaching base on a double. but that would be all the runs the Eduardo and Francisco Sabate coached team would manage against a stingy American defence. The U.S. would strike back with eight runs in the third inning led by leadoff hitter Jason Loe (3-4, double, three RBI), Kevin Castillo (2-3, home run, run scored, two RBI) and designated hitter Camden Decker (2-2, triple, two runs scored, two RBI) and Andy Matthews (1-3, run scored). For Argentina, Ederet (1-2, run scored, double), Francisco Regolli (1-2) and Emiliano Tristram Anea (1-2) led the offence. Winning pitcher John Kelly went four and two third innings allowing one run on three hits, walking two and striking out one. Losing pitcher Mauricio Emmanuel Boss went two and two third innings allowing four runs on three hits, striking out three. Nelson Ruiz went one and two third innings giving up four runs on three hits, walking two and fanning three. Max Montero went two third innings walking two and striking out one. http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

————–

Also, here is the report from USA Softball’s Brian McCall:

USA Junior Men rebound with run-rule win over Argentina

Summerside, P.E.I., Canada—The USA Softball Junior Men evened their
record at 2-2 with an 8-1 run-rule victory over Argentina on day four of the ISF Junior Men’s World Championships. The win ends a two game skid for the Red, White and Blue and keeps its hopes alive for a spot in the championship finals.

Argentina took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after the lead-off batter doubled and scored on an illegal pitch. While some thought an upset was in the making, the U.S. responded in the
third scoring eight runs to take a comfortable 8-1 lead. Cameron Decker (Aurora, Ill.) led off the inning with a triple and scored on a single by Jason Loe (Sioux Falls, SD. With two outs and a runner on Kevin Castillo (Long Beach, Calif.) hit his first home run of the tournament to give the U.S. a 3-1 lead. The two out rally continued with a single by Andy Mathews (Cameron, Iowa, a walk to Matt Bezzant (Cedar Hills, Utah) and a single by Evan O’Reilly San Luis Obispo, Calif.) to load the bases. A walk to Bobby Olson (Amboy, Minn.) drove in a fourth run of the inning
and left the bases loaded. Decker, who had led off the inning with a triple, came through again with single that scored two runs to stretch the lead to 6-1. The final two runs of the inning were credited to Loe who doubled for an 8-1 lead.

John Kelly (Chester, Iowa) was solid in the circle for the U.S. allowing only one run on three hits to improve to 2-1 at the World Championships. Three different U.S. players had multiple hits in the game including Loe who went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Castillo was 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI while Decker was perfect at 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBI.

Currently sitting in fifth place in the overall standing, the U.S. will need to carry this momentum into Tuesday’s match-up with Canada at 6 p.m. CST in order to keep its hopes alive for a spot in the championship finals. Canada is currently 3-1 in the championship with wins over Mexico,
Argentina and Czech Republic.

Brian McCall
Director of Communications
ASA/USA Softball
405-425-3463
bmccall@softball.org

www.asasoftball.com or www.usasoftball.com

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Jr. Men’s Team USA trailing 1-0 to Argentina

Monday, June 27th, 2005

Courtesy of Pat Healy, and Al’s Fastball: Team USA trailing 1-0 to Argentina, in the second inning

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USA Junior Men shutout by Australia at World Championship

Sunday, June 26th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball:

USA Junior Men are shutout by defending champion Australia at World Championship

Summerset, PEI, CanadaÂ-The USA Softball Junior Men were shutout by two-time defending champion Australia 5-0 on day two of the ISF World Championship to fall to 1-1 in the tournament. The U.S. managed only two hits in the game while being fanned 17-times.

The Aussies jumped all over U.S. starter Zach Warne (Sioux Falls, SD) in the first two innings scoring one in the first and four in the second to take a comfortable 5-0 lead. Warne was relieved in the second but was responsible for all five of the runs. B.J. Hunhoff (Harrisburg, SD) held Australia hitless while allowing just one walk in three innings of relief work. Kyle Davis (Sioux Falls, SD) pitched the final three innings holding the Aussieâ€™s scoreless.

The U.S. had runners in scoring position in the third when Brandon Huerta (Atascadero, Calif.) and Brian Malakowsky (Wells, Minn.) reached on walks but could not come up with a key hit to get on the board. Kevin Castillo (Long Beach, Calif.) broke up the no-hitter in the sixth inning with a single and Jason Loe (Sioux Falls, SD) followed with a single
as well but once again both were left stranded.

â€œWe didnâ€™t start the game mentally ready today,â€ said head coach Tim Lyon. â€œWe came out flat, got behind early and could not make a run at them. We had a few chances with runners in scoring position but could not get that first big hit.â€

Australian pitcher Adam Folkard was dominate against the Red, White and Blue allowing only two hits while recording 17 of the 21 outs by strikeout. Looking to rebound on Sunday from its first loss, the U.S. will try and knock off perennial power New Zealand at 1 p.m. â€œWe will be ready to play New Zealand tomorrow and get back on the winning track”.

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USA Jr. Men rally for win over Czech Republic

Saturday, June 25th, 2005

SUMMERSIDE, PEI

– A three-run seventh inning rallied Team USA over a valiant Czech Republic squad Friday evening at the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Very Important Volunteer Field in Summerside.

The Czech’s led 5-1 at one point before USA mounted their rally with timely hitting and several miscues by their defense which led to Jason Loe’s game winning run to win the game.

Other top batters for Team USA were Kevin Castillo (2-4, RBI), Curtis Leavitt (1-2, run scored, home run), and Bobby Olson (2-2 run scored). For the Czech Republic, Michal Hudec (1-2, run scored, three RBI) and Bohumir Adamec (1-3, two runs scored, two RBI) was tops.

Winning pitcher was John Kelly who went the distance allowing five runs on five hits and fanning five.

Losing pitcher Jaroslav Muller went five plus innings allowing four runs on four hits, while Stepan Eret went a seventh of an inning allowing two runs on one hit.

RAIN POSTPONES GAME
Heavy rains during the fourth inning of Canada’s opening game led to the postponement of their game with Mexico until 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. Team Canada was leading 2-0 when the umpires and the game was called due to thunder and lightning and the rains.

Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
mailto:phealey@2005worldsoftball.com

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USA Junior Men

Thursday, June 23rd, 2005

Click link below for report on the Jr. Men, who start play in the ISF World Championships in PEI Canada Friday, June 24, 2005. (Click photo to enlarge)

From Al’s Fastball: USA Junior Men

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ISF Jr. Men’s Revised Schedule (Venezuela Out)

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005

HERE IS THE REVISED schedule as a result of VENEZUELA withdrawing from championship due to passport problems (they got them AFTER flight left but it was not enough to get new flight as enxt flight is IN AUGUST) so here is what it will be.

OPENING CEREMONIES 7 P.M. FRIDAY NIGHT
REVISED SCHEDULE FOR ISF 2005 JUNIOR MENâ€™S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

SUMMERSIDE PEI â€“ With the withdrawal of Venezuela, the ISF 2005 Jr Menâ€™s World Softball Championship set to begin in Summerside Friday morning has a new schedule. Below is the new schedule.

Friday, 24th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
1 10:00am Australia 0 vs Mexico 0
2 12:00pm Japan 0 vs Denmark 0
3 2:00pm New Zealand 0 vs Argentina 0
4 4:00pm United States 0 vs Czech Republic 0
5 8:00pm Canada 0 vs Mexico 0

Saturday, 25th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
6 11:00am United States 0 vs Australia 0
7 1:00pm Mexico 0 vs Denmark 0
8 6:00pm New Zealand 0 vs Czech Republic 0
9 8:00pm Canada 0 vs Argentina 0

Sunday, 26th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
10 9:00am Argentina 0 vs Mexico 0
11 11:00am Australia 0 vs Czech Republic 0
12 1:00pm United States 0 vs New Zealand 0
13 6:00pm Australia 0 vs Argentina 0
14 8:00pm Canada 0 vs Japan 0

Monday, 27th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
15 9:00am Czech Republic 0 vs Japan 0
16 11:00am New Zealand 0 vs Denmark 0
17 3:00pm United States 0 vs Argentina 0
18 6:00pm Canada 0 vs Czech Republic 0
19 8:00pm Japan 0 vs Mexico 0

Tuesday, 28th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
20 11:00am New Zealand 0 vs Mexico 0
21 1:00pm Czech Republic 0 vs Denmark 0
22 6:00pm Australia 0 vs Japan 0
23 8:00pm Canada 0 vs United States 0

Wednesday, 29th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
24 11:00am United States 0 vs Denmark 0
25 1:00pm Mexico 0 vs Czech Republic 0
26 3:00pm Japan 0 vs Argentina 0
27 6:00pm New Zealand 0 vs Australia 0
28 8:00pm Canada 0 vs Denmark 0

Thursday, 30th June 2005
Game Time Team Team
29 11:00am Denmark 0 vs Argentina 0
30 1:00pm Japan 0 vs New Zealand 0
31 6:00pm United States 0 vs Mexico 0
32 8:00pm Canada 0 vs Australia 0

Friday, 1st July 2005
Game Time Team Team
33 12:00pm United States 0 vs Japan 0
34 2:00pm Argentina 0 vs Czech Republic 0
35 4:00pm Australia 0 vs Denmark 0
36 7:00pm Canada 0 vs New Zealand 0

Saturday, 2nd July 2005
Game Time Team Team
37 6:00pm – Third Place 0 vs – Fourth Place 0
38 8:00pm – First Place 0 vs – Second Place 0

Sunday, 3rd July 2005
Game Time Team Team
39 12:00pm – Winner 46 0 vs – Loser 47 0
40 3:00pm – Winner 47 0 vs – Winner 48 0

http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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Maddy’s Monday Night Photos from Ramona, CA (USA Jr. Men & Alliance)

Monday, June 20th, 2005

Click Here to view Maddy’s Photos from the So Cal ASA Alliance weekend at Ramona, California, which included the USA U19 Jr. Men’s team.

Don’t forget — the USA Jr. Men fly out tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 for Prince Edward Island, Canada for the ISF international competition from June 24, 2005 through July 3, 2005.

Editor’s Choice for best photo of the weekend, with a bit of story to it:

As many of you know, Maddy had never been to a fastpitch game until a couple of years ago. In a short time, as I think her photos show, she’d developed quite an eye for the game. She’s always looking for a new or interesting way to share the game with you. This past weekend, she ran over to tell me that she had something new. “I’ve got some shots”, she said excitedly, “where the guy got away!”. I don’t know whether I enjoyed the photo more, or her delight in discovering something she hadn’t seen before. [smile] Ah, the things we take for granted. John Otte, you made her day.

(Look for the whole sequence of photos of the rundown play, shortly) Oh, and no, before you ask, she was not backing up on the play.

Runnerup for editor’s choice: Impersonation of a 747 landing short on runway 2-9er right.

And finally, honorable mention, for some serious air. That can’t be his normal stride — can it? BTW, who is it (#4?)

Got a favorite, or a comment on a photo? Post it by clicking that little link there on the right, just below this. (where it says ‘1 comment’, or however many there are)

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