Let down gets to Canada in loss to Japan
SUMMERSIDE – A huge, emotional win like Canada had over New Zealand Saturday night came back to bite them Sunday in a 12-4, six-inning semifinal loss to Japan on the final day of play at the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship at Queen Elizabeth Park’s VIV Field in Summerside. Japan scored two runs in each of the second, third, fifth and sixth innings while doubling that amount in the fourth to rout the Canadians before 2800 fans. Leading Japan, who advances to the final against the undefeated Aussies with the win, Akifumi Horita (3-4, two runs scored, RBI), Masayuki Shimoto (2-2, run scored, two RBI, hit by pitch), Shinji Kawamura (2-4, run scored, double, two RBI) and short stop Shigeru Higashi (2-3, two runs scored, RBI). For Canada, catcher Bryan Abrey of Richmond, B.C. (1-2, two runs scored, RBI, home run), Jonathan Kane of Conception Bay South, NL (1-3, home run, two RBI), Ben Tee of Napanee, Ont. (1-2, run scored, home run) and Justin Gill of Colleris, NL (1-3) led the way. Toshyuki Sakamoto earned the win going five and one third innings allowing four runs on four hits, walking one and fanning seven). Hayami Takahashi went a third of an inning in relief. Losing pitcher Tyson Barkman of Abbottsford, B.C. got lit up for four runs on six hits, and walking one in three innings work. Jordan MacDonald of Napanee, Ont. went a third of an inning giving up three runs on one hit while Kane surrendered five runs on eight hits wlaking three and striking out four in two and two-third innings. Canada does win a bronze medal for their efforts and should be proud of themselves for their hard work after just being named June 15.