Canada loses heartbreaker; eliminated from Junior Women’s World Championships

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 6/29/07 12:52:24 PM 
From:  "Gilles Leblanc" <gleblanc(at)softball.ca> 
Subject:  Canada_loses_heartbreaker;_eliminated_from_Junior_Women's_
 


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2007

 

Canada loses heartbreaker; eliminated from Junior Women’s World
Championships

 

(Enschede, Netherlands) - The Canadian National Junior Team’s
journey at the ISF World Championships came to an end as they
finished in fifth place after a tough 4-1 loss to Venezuela.

 

In rainy and muddy conditions, Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) gave
up only four hits and three walks, but Canada made three errors
that led to four unearned runs for Venezuela. In the top of the
first inning, Venezuela scored its first run after a two out
groundball hit between shortstop and third base that the fielder
was able to get to put could not get a handle on the ball. Venezuela
followed that with their first hit, a double to score their second
run.

 

In the bottom of the inning, Richelle McGarva (Cloverdale, BC)
led off with a hard hit ball to right centre field for a triple,
and an overthrow at third base allowed her to score after the
ball was knocked loose from the catcher.

 

The game became a pitcher’s duel until the top of the fourth
when a one out single by Stephanie LeClair (Kitchener, ON) followed
by Charlotte Dolan (Coquitlam, BC) being hit by a pitch put runners
on first and second for Canada. Robyn Draper (Brampton, ON) hit
a hard one hopper right at the third baseman, who gloved the
ball and touched her bag for the second out. Carly Moir (White
Rock, BC) then hit a grounder to first for the third out, stranding
two runners. In the fifth inning, Canada loaded the bases with
one out after Heidi Purtzer (Scottsdale, Arizona) led off the
inning with a single up the middle, was sacrificed to second,
and Tanya McLean (Delta, BC) and McGarva were both hit by a pitch.
Pinch hitter Jillian Lafrance (Calgary, AB) then popped up to
first and LeClair hit a fly ball to right field to end the Canada
threat.  

 

In the bottom of the fifth, Venezuela added two more unearned
runs. After a lead off walk and a two out a single was hit up
the middle to put runners on first second, Venezeula then stole
third base and followed with a slow chopper that was bobbled
and the throw was late at first, scoring Venezuela's third run.
The next batter bunted in front of the plate and catcher Robyn
Draper's throw to first base was high allowing the fourth run
to score.

 

Canada put more pressure on Venezuela in the in the top of the
sixth as Charlotte Dolan walked and with one out Carly Moir was
hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. However, Heidi Purtzer
and Jessica Tieszen (South Surrey, BC) both popped up in the
infield to end the threat. 

 

Canada managed three hits, four hit by pitches and struck out
four times at the plate, while Jenna Caira gave up four hits
with nine strike outs and three walks.

 

Canada finished fifth in the tournament, and four of the Pan
American qualifying teams will earn top six finishes at the World
Championships. Puerto Rico finished sixth after they were eliminated
in a 1-0 loss to Australia earlier today, and Venezuela will
move on to play Australia tonight, with the winner playing the
losing team of the game between USA and Japan.

 

-SC-

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Gilles LeBlanc
Sport/Recreation Management Intern
MBA in Sport and Recreation Management
University of New Brunswick

 

Softball Canada
Coordinator: Marketing and Communications Services
gleblanc at softball.ca

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105

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