Bauman, Hawes helps Canada eliminate Kiwi’s
SUMMERSIDE – Canada’s clutch hitters came through when it counted while surviving a three-error outing to upset New Zealand 5-4 to assure themselve of a medal at the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship at Queen Elizabeth Park’s VIV Field in Summerside.
P.E.I. Rocket Tyler Hawes of Popes Harbour, N.S. (3-3, two runs scored, triple), Nate Bauman of Elmira, Ont. (1-2, three RBI) and Bobby Sill of Brookfield, N.S. (3-3, run scored, two RBI, double) are Canada’s go to guys and for Kelly McGiffin they did what they needed to. Canada got off to a quick start when Bauman drove home the game’s first two runs with a two-run single in the second, a lead Canada added to when Sill drove home Hawes to give Canada a 3-0 lead behind the solid pitching of Tyson Barkman of Abbottsford, B.C. But then, the Kiwi’s mounted a comeback, much to the dismay of the 2200 fans in attendance as they scored three times in the fifth as a result of two Canadian errors. Bernard Hale (1-3) scored New Zealand’s first run on an error charged to Barkman to start the fifth inning rally. Penese Iosefo (2-3, two runs
scored) walked and Isaac Fletcher (1-4, run scored) reached on a fielder’s choice that brought Hale around to plate. Daniel Lamb-Hunt reached on a wild pitch that scored Iosefo and Fletcher scored when Michael Crowley (0-3) reached on an error by Canadian shortstop Justin Gill of Colleris, NL to tie the game at 3-3that helped, The Kiwi’s went ahead when Fletcher drove home Iosefo from second base after he reached on a single, then advanced on a wild pitch by Barkman. In the bottom of the sixth, Bryan Abrey of Richmond, B.C. (0-3) flied out to right field before Jonathan Kane of Conception Bay South, NL (0-2, walk) was issued the free pass. Hawes then singled pinch runner Mathieu Lessard of St-Leonard Ashton, Que. to second before Ben Tee of Napanee, Ont. 0-2) was walked. Chris Lewis of Napanee, Ont. came on to pinch run
for Hawes. Sill then came to the plate and sent a double to the outfield that scored by Lessard to tie the game up setting the stage for Bauman, who has been making contact but struggling at the dish, to be the hero. Buaman took the first pitch and hit a sac fly to left field, allowing Lewis to tag up and score what would be the eventual winning run. The RBI helped Buaman atone
for an earlier error, that allowed the Kiwi’s to take the lead in the sixth. Barkman went the distance giving up four runs on six hits, walking six and fanning six. Losing pitcher Penese Iosefo went three innings in relief of starter Vaero Hagai, allowing two runs on three hits, walking three and sitting down three. Hagai went three innings giving up three runs on four hits and striking out three. Canada’s win means they now await the winner of the Australia and Japan game that got underway at 8:45 p.m. Canada will face the loser of this game at 12 p.m. for either a chance at the championship gold medal, or at worst the loser of that game will be bronze medalists. The winner of the 8 p.m. Aussie-Japan game goes straight to the final at 3 p.m. Sunday.
http://www.2005worldsoftball.com
Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS