Canada Defeats Virgin Islands at Pan Am Championships

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 10/5/06 9:46:44 AM 
From:  "Rick Picard" <rpicard(at)softball.ca> 


Subject:  Softball Canada - Canada Defeats Virgin Islands at
Pan Am Championships  
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2006

 

Canada Defeats Virgin Islands at Pan Am Championships

 

(HERMOSILLO - Mexico) -  The Senior Men's National Softball Team
defeated the Virgin Islands 11-0 at the Pan American Softball
Championship in Hermosillo, Mexico on Wednesday evening.

 

Team Canada’s bats came alive this evening in an 11-0 five inning
victory over the Virgin Islands.  Canada's pitching continued
to be strong as Rick Smith (Duncan, BC) was almost perfect in
the circle pitching a no hitter to earn the victory.

 

The only Virgin Islands runner to reach base was Derwin Sutcliffe
who reached on an error by first baseman Derek Mayson. It appeared
that Mayson had tagged Sutcliffe out as he was running to first
but the ball came loose and allowed the speedy runner to reach
second base. Sutcliffe was soon gunned down by catcher Chris
Shewfelt (Stoney Creek, ON) when he tried to steal third base.
In his five innings of work, Smith didn't give up more than 1
ball on any batter & struck out 9 in total.

 

“It was a good win" admitted Smith. "We just went right after
their hitters. The game plan was to throw strikes and see if
they could catch up.”

 

Canada took to the early lead in the first scoring a pair of
runs.  After Jeff Ellsworth (Alberton, PE) reached on a bunt
single, Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) laced a triple to
the right field corner scoring Ellsworth. Mayson scored on a
fielder’s choice by Rob O’Brien (Elora, ON).

 

The Canadians put 3 more on the board in the 2nd inning. Shewfelt
started the inning by reaching on an error by shortstop Jeremy
Penn. Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) followed with a home run over
the right field fence. Shortstop Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB)
then lined a single to left field and eventually came around
to score on a ground out by Ellsworth.

 

Canada put the game out of reach as they notched 6 runs in the
4th inning. Shewfelt started the rally by lining a hard single
off pitcher Allen Smith’s glove. Ian Fehrman doubled to right
center field moving Shewfelt to third. Both runners scored on
Giesbrecht’s single up the middle. Scott Newitt (Delta, BC) walked
then moved to second on a wild pitch. Mayson then singled home
Giesbrecht. The scoring was completed when Steve Mullaley (Freshwater,
NL) hit Allen Smith’s first pitch over the left field fence for
a 3 run home run.

 

With the win Canada improves their record to 4 wins and 3 losses.
Only two games remain in the Pan Am Championship round robin.
 Canada next faces the Bahamas (8:00 am, Thursday, October 5th)
and will round out round robin play versus Guatemala (5:00 pm,
Friday, October 6th)

.

-SC-

 

For more information, please contact

 

Rick Picard

Director, Marketing and Communications

Softball Canada

rpicard(at)softball.ca

(613) 523-3386
 

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