Canada loses to Australia in rain delayed game

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 6/26/07 4:50:27 PM 
From:  Gilles LeBlanc <gleblanc(at)magma.ca> 



Subject:  Canada loses to Australia in rain delayed game  



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26th, 2007


Canada loses to Australia in rain delayed game


(Enschede, Netherlands) - The Canadian National Junior Women's
Softball Team ran into an inspired Australian team and fell by
a score of 7-4 in a game that took over four hours to play, thanks
to three separate rain delays and strong winds. Canada saw itself
fall behind 5-0 after Australia scored five runs in the third
inning and added single runs in the fifth and sixth to build
a 7-0 lead. Canada was in a run rule situation in the bottom
of the sixth but scored twice to cut the margin to 7-2. Canada
then added two more in the seventh to cut the lead to three but
that is where the rally ended.


Canada needs a win against Russia tomorrow to secure third place
in their pool.


 Starter Leah McIntosh (Whitby, ON) got in trouble in the third
inning, allowing a lead off double followed by a misplayed bunt
which left two runners on base for Australia.. Australia attempted
a squeeze play to score the first run, but a nice play by first
baseman Heidi Purtzer (Scottsdale, Arizona) retired the runner
heading for home for the first out. The next batter hit a single
past third and scored the first Aussie run. Megan Evans (Brooklin,
ON) replaced McIntosh in the pitcher's circle and the first pitch
she threw was hit into the gap in left centre field to score
the second run of the game. The next batter followed with a sacrifice
fly to score the third run of the game. The wind then came into
play as the fourth and fifth runs were scored after routine fly
balls were hit into left field and blew back towards the infield
and dropped in for base hits. 


Australia added a run in the fifth inning and again in the sixth
off Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) who came in to replace Evans in
the third. With the score 7-0, Canada started a rally after Corrine
Doornberg fouled off eleven two strike pitches before drawing
a walk. Pinch hitter Jillian Lafrance (Calgary, AB) hit a one
hopper back to the pitcher who threw it wide and the ball was
dropped by the first baseman. Doornberg ended up on third base
and Lafrance was replaced by Katrina Lavadan on first. Doornberg
then scored on a passed ball for Canada's first run.  Lavadan
later scored on a ground out by Tanya McLean (Delta, BC) to make
it 7-2.  


In the bottom of the seventh inning, Stephanie LeClair (Kitchener,
ON) collected her second hit of the game with a single up the
middle and later scored after Purtzer drilled a triple down the
left field line that got by a diving left fielder. Purtzer then
scored on a passed ball to bring Canada within 3, but that was
as close as they would get.


"After all the rain delays, it was nice that we came together
as a team and pushed hard to score a couple of runs" said Doornberg.
"We had players on and off the field of play ready to do her
part."


Canada's three pitchers gave up nine hits with eight strike outs
and three walks. Canada managed four hits at the plate while
striking out seven times.


"Although the game didn't end the way we would have liked, we
put up a good fight towards the end. It just came a little too
late" added Purtzer. "Now we just have to be solid from here
on out."


Canada plays Russia tomorrow at 10:00am (ET).


 

-SC-


For more information, contact:


Gilles LeBlanc

Sport/Recreation Management Intern

MBA in Sport and Recreation Management

University of New Brunswick

 

Softball Canada

Coordinator, Marketing and Communications

gleblanc(at)softball.ca

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105
 

 

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