[Alsfastball] Canada loses to US but prepares for battle against Australia and Italy

[Al Doran]

From: "Lisette Johnson-Stapley" <lstapley at softball.ca>
Subject: Canada loses to US but prepares for battle against Australia and 
Italy * use this one
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:32:29 -0400


For immediate release
Wednesday August 18

Canada prepares for battle against Australia and Italy

(Ottawa, ON)  Canada's women's softball team lost to the undefeated US 
softball team 7-0 in 5 innings of play today at the Olympic 
Games.  Canada's record sits at 2-3 and will play two crucial games against 
Australia and Italy on thursday and friday, respectively.

"It was an honour to go out and face the best team in the World because of 
the challenge," stated Canadian Pitcher Auburn Sigurdson.  "This game made 
our team better and prepared us for our last two games."  Sigurdson 
said:  "I wasn't really nervous to tell you the truth.  The US is my 
favorite team to pitch to because of their toughness."

The US scored off the hop in the bottom of the 1st.  With bases loaded, the 
US batter was hit by a pitch to drive in a run.  In the 2nd inning, US 
batters made it on base on a hit by pitch, sacrifice to 2nd, single and on 
2 outs, a fly ball to centrefield where Canada misjudged the ball and 2 
runs were scored.  In the 3rd, US hit a single, a double (a misjudged ball 
which was played into a double) and a single making it 4-0.  At the top of 
the 4th, Canada had a chance to score.  Kristy Odamura led off with a 
single, Rachel Schill bunted to third who made a wild throw.  With Odamura 
on third and Schill on first, Alison Bradley hit the ball to 2nd but they 
threw home to tag Odamura out at the plate.  After 4 innings, Ani Nyhus 
came in to relieve Auburn Sigurdson.  Nyhus gave up a homerun to Crytl 
Bustos and Lisa Fernandez to make it 6-0.  In the 5th inning, Bustos 
singled went to 2nd on a wild pitch and on a single was driven home to end 
the game 7-0 on the mercy rule (7 runs after 5 innings at the Olympic Games).

Canada's Auburn Sigurdson was the losing pitcher who allowed 4 runs (1 
earned) on 6 hits, had 1 strikeout and 2 walks.  Ani Nyhus gave up 3 runs 
on 5 hits, had 1 strikeout and 1 walk.  USA's Jenny finch was the winning 
pitcher giving up 0 runs on 1 hit, striking out 8 Canadian batters and 0 
walks.


Canada will face Australia tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:3pm ET (to be 
broadcasted on CBC) and Italy Friday at 2:30am ET (to be broadcasted on 
TSN).  Canada is now 2-3.



Team Canada's profiles and stats as well as previous Olympic results and 
photos can be viewed on the Softball Canada website at 
<http://www.softball.ca>www.softball.ca.  For more information, please 
contact Lisette Johnson-Stapley, Marketing & Communications Director, 
Softball Canada at 613-795-1996 (Cel.) or 
<mailto:lstapley at softball.ca>lstapley at softball.ca or 613-523-3386 ext. 3105.



Rankings – Day 5

Teams

W

L

Yet to play

USA

5

0

Gre, Tpe

  AUS

4

1

Gre, Can

CAN

2

3

Aus, Ita

CHN

2

3

Jpn, Tpe

TPE

2

3

USA, Chn

GRE

2

2

USA, Aus, Jpn

JPN

1

3

Gre, Chn, Ita

ITA

1

4

Can, Jpn,



Lisette Johnson Stapley
Directrice du Marketing & Communications Director
Softball Canada
2197 Promenade Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON  K1H 7X3
Tel. (613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
Fax/Telec. (613) 523-5761
<mailto:lstapley at softball.ca>lstapley at softball.ca *** www.softball.ca


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