Saturday, June 28, 2008

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Eight days of round robin play concluded Friday night in the dramatic, 1-0 extra inning win by Canada over the USA. The top four teams advance to the medal rounds, to be held over the final weekend of the ten day tournament, with the final standings as follows:

1. Australia (10-1)
2. Japan (9-2)
3. Canada (9-2) *
4. New Zealand (8-3)
*Japan 2nd place, by virtue of head-to-head win over Canada.

Saturday’s schedule is as follows:

Game Time Field Team Team

67 – P1 3:00pm I Third Place (Canada) vs. Fourth Place (New Zealand)
68 – P2 5:30pm I First Place (Australia) vs. Second Place (Japan)

All game times are PDT, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada time. Adjust for your time zone accordingly.

Game Ending Triple Play by Argentina over New Zealand Marks Day of Excitement


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Thursday, June 26, 2008

From the official ISF tournament website:

Bring on the Semi Finals!

The final day of round robin play at the World Junior Fast Pitch Championships saved some of the best competition for last as the semi final match-ups are set for Saturday afternoon.

Several games with playoff implications were staged in front of the once again packed Takhini Softball Centre. Japan sewed up their hold on the second place seed and ensured a meeting with top seed Australia following a 19-2 win over the Czech Republic.

Canada and the United States played into extra innings as both team’s pitchers baffled hitters until Canada was able to come away with a hard-fought 1-0 win and some valuable momentum going into their semi final match-up with New Zealand.

The Kiwis locked up the last spot in the semis despite a heartbreaking loss to Argentina in perhaps the most competitive game of the tournament thus far. Trailing by two runs going into the final inning, Argentina was able to take the lead and then shut down New Zealand on an amazing triple play – much to the delight of the boisterous crowd.

The stage is set for a truly great final weekend of fast pitch!

Goose Eggs and Goose Bumps

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The USA Men’s team lost their final game of the 2008 ISF Jr. Men’s World Championships at Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, but played valiantly, holding the 2005 Bronze medalists, Canada scoreless through regulation. Pitcher BJ Hunhoff of South Dakota tossed a gem, shutting out Canada on three hits, (2 through 7)while striking out 8. Canada won the game in the 8th inning, with the international tie breaker in effect, on an infield single by Jovaan Graham of Canada. Canada’s pitcher, Devin Keshane was brilliant, tossing a no-hitter, while striking out 16, on the strength of an outstanding rise-ball.

The game was broadcast around the world, live on ballparkradio.com and played in front of a packed house estimated at several thousand, which cheered loudly for their respective teams, in one of the most exciting games in the tournament.

Team USA finished 8th in the tournament with a 5-6 record:

Wins over: Mexico, Venezuela, Czech Republic, Denmark and Botswana.

Losses to: Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, and South Africa.

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The USA Men evened their record at 5-5 at the ISF Junior World Championships, Friday afternoon, with a 9-5 win over the Czech Republic. Pitcher James Hartman from South Dakota went the distance for the win. Nick Cole, of Sacramento, California struck the big blow in the game, a grand-slam home run. Shortstop Tony Viger also homered the game.

The USA men will conclude their tournament on Friday night, at 7:30pm against the host team, Canada, who is 8-2 in the tournament. The USA men cannot qualify for the medal round, as they will finish behind the top four teams, so the game Friday night will conclude their play at the tournament.

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Friday, June 27, 2008

Game Time Field Team Team

59 11:00am II Denmark vs. Botswana
60 12:00pm I Czech Republic vs. United States
61 1:30pm II Venezuela vs. Japan 2 – 9
62 2:30pm I South Africa vs. Botswana
63 4:00pm II Mexico vs. Australia
64 5:00pm I Argentina vs. New Zealand
65 6:30pm II Czech Republic vs. Japan
66 7:30pm I Canada vs. United States

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Game Time Field Team Team Results

52 12:00pm I Australia vs. United States 9 – 0
53 1:30pm II Mexico vs. New Zealand 1 – 8
54 2:30pm I Argentina vs. Botswana 3 – 2
55 4:00pm II Czech Republic vs. South Africa 6 – 9
56 5:00pm I New Zealand vs. Australia 9 – 0
57 6:30pm II Denmark vs. Venezuela 1 – 17
58 7:30pm I Canada vs. Japan 2 – 6