Canada and New Zealand split again in Sebringville

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 6/16/07 1:21:20 AM 
From:  "Gilles Leblanc" <gleblanc(at)softball.ca> 



Subject:  Canada and New Zealand split again in Sebringville
 
    

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16th, 2007

 

Canada and New Zealand split again in Sebringville

 

(Sebringville, ON) – For the second time in as many nights, Canada
and New Zealand split a doubleheader in the second chapter of
the International Test Series in Sebringville, ON. Nez Zealand
took complete control of the first game, winning by a score of
8-0 called after five innings. However, Canada bounced back in
the second game with an 8-2 triumph of their own. The Series
now shifts to Kitchener, ON where the two teams will meet again
for one final doubleheader.

 

In the first game of the night, New Zealand jumped to an early
lead and never looked back. Travis Wilson and Pat Shannon connected
for back-to-back homeruns in the top of the first inning, which
highlighted a three run inning for the “Kiwis”. New Zealand added
a run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Shannon, and
four more in the fourth as five different players connected for
singles. Thomas Makea produced two runs with a single in the
inning, while Stacy McLean and Wilson each drove in a run with
singles of their own.

 

The strong hitting of New Zealand was well complemented by the
excellent pitching of Jeremy Manley, who threw a 5 inning gem
en route to the victory. Manley struck out 6 while walking one,
surrendering only one hit to Ryan Wolfe. His counterpart Paul
Koert lasted 2 1/3 innings allowing four runs on three hits and
two strikeouts, before passing the ball on to local player Don
Scott, who pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs of his
own on five hits while striking out one.

 

In the nightcap, Canada took the early lead and produced in key
situations to earn the victory. Ryan Wolfe led off the bottom
of the first with a double, and later scored on an RBI single
by Derek Mayson. New Zealand replied in the top of the third
inning with a lead-off solo homerun by Travis Wilson, and took
a 2-1 lead a few batters later after an RBI single by Donny Hale.
However, Canada stormed right back in the bottom of the inning,
scoring four runs five hits, four of them for extra bases. Rob
Gray tied the game with a solo homerun, followed by a two RBI
double by pinch-hitter Keith Mackintosh, scoring Ian Fehrman
and Brian Abrey. Wolfe then drove Mackintosh in with an RBI triple.

 

Canada added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Fehrman,
and added two more in the sixth as Jody Eidt and Derek Mayson
each stroked RBI singles, pushing the final score to 8-2. 

 

The four run burst in the fourth inning chased New Zealand starting
pitcher Heinie Shannon out of the game, who struck out 13 batters
in a complete game shutout win Thursday night in Orillia. Canadian
starter Trevor Ethier pitched 3 2/3 solid innings before being
replaced by Dean Holoein, who seemed to turn the game around
for Canada with a very strong performance. Holoein mopped up
the final out in the fourth with a strikeout, and followed that
by striking out the side in each of the two following innings
while his offence got him some run support to earn him the win.
He struck out eight batters in 3 1/3 innings while only giving
up one hit and a walk.

 

“I got into a groove and my arm felt really good” said Holoein
after the game. “It felt really good to win the second game after
a tough loss in the first game. We want to win this Series. We
bounced back and gained momentum and that should carry forward
to tomorrow’s games.”

 

“It will be important for us to get an early start in the next
games. New Zealand has a great team and it’s tough to climb back
after falling behind early. Taking an early lead gets us into
the game and fires us up.”

 

-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


 

 Al's Fastball News
*Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com
   fastball at pmihrm.com
NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/
NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball


VIA http://www.webbox.com