Canada and New Zealand split Series opener in Orillia

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 6/15/07 9:29:50 AM 
From:  "Gilles Leblanc" <gleblanc(at)softball.ca> 


Subject:  Canada and New Zealand split Series opener in Orillia
 
   

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14th, 2007

 

Canada and New Zealand split Series opener in Orillia

 

(Orillia, ON) – The Canadian Men’s National Team opened their
International Test Series with an 8-4 win over New Zealand, but
lost the second game of the doubleheader 5-0 last night in Orillia,
ON. It was the first of three doubleheaders between the two team,
who will meet again tonight in Sebringville, ON and tomorrow
night in Kitchener, ON.

 

The fans attending the games in Orillia were treated to two excellent
games, as New Zealand and Canada certainly showed why they are
ranked #1 and #2 respectively in the World.

 

In the first game, New Zealand jumped to an early 2-0 lead following
a two run, two out single by left fielder Stacy McLean. Catcher
Patrick Shannon was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, followed
by Jarrad Martin, who reached on an error.  Both runners advanced
on a sacrifice bunt, leading to the two run single.

 

Canada tied the game up 2-2 in the bottom of the third on RBI
singles by right fielder Stephen Mullaley and first baseman Derek
Mayson. Kevin Schellenberg, the shortstop, led off the inning
with a single up the middle, and showed off his speed beating
out a double play ball at 2nd base. Mullaley then connected with
an RBI single, and later scored on Mayson’s single up the middle.

 

Canada jumped to a 4-2 lead on a run scoring triple by second
baseman Ian Fehrman in the 4th and a solo homerun to left-center
field by third baseman Jody Eidt. However, New Zealand knotted
the game up 4-4 in the top half of the 6th following an RBI single
by Martin and a sacrifice fly by Donny Hale.

 

The Canadian team responded in their half of the 6th, putting
the game away by scoring four runs. Schellenberg stroked a double,
and was then brought in to score on an RBI single by pinch hitter
Keith Mackintosh. Mayson then connected for a three run homerun
to put the game out of reach, as Canada went on to win by a score
of 8 to 4.

 

Mayson collected three hits on the night for Canada, while Schellenberg
added two singles. Mullaley, Eidt, Rob Gray, Jeff Ellsworth (triple)
and Mackintosh each contributed a hit in the win.

 

For a complete boxscore of Game 1, please visit www.softball.ca.

 

“Everyone was ready to go and anxious to play, and we jumped
all over them” said game hero Derek Mayson. “New Zealand is the
top team in the World, and we wanted to come out early and prove
we could beat them. This is the best rivalry in the World in
Men’s softball right now, and it felt good to get the first win.”

 

In the second game of the twin bill, Canada ran into excellent
pitching as Heinie Shannon hurled a complete game two hitter
for New Zealand, striking out 13 batters while only walking one.
The Black Sox fed off that performance, led at the plate by speedy
shortstop Nathan Nukunuku who had two doubles, a triple and two
runs batted in. Patrick Shannon also contributed with a rare
inside the park homerun, driving in two runs in the process.

 

Jody Eidt and Colin Abbott had the two hits for Canada.

 

 

-SC-

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Gilles LeBlanc

Sport/Recreation Management Intern

MBA in Sport and Recreation Management

University of New Brunswick

 

Coordinator, Marketing and Communications

Softball Canada

gleblanc(at)softball.ca

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105
 

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