Canada suffers first setback at the Canada Cup

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 7/7/07 11:33:57 AM 
From:  "Gilles Leblanc" <gleblanc(at)softball.ca> 

   
Subject:  Canada suffers first setback at the Canada Cup  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7th, 2007

 

Canada suffers first setback at the Canada Cup

 

(Surrey, BC) – The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team (1st
place in red pool) suffered its first lost at the Canada Cup
last night, falling to Japan Elite (2nd place in white pool)
by a score of 3-0. It was the second game of the day for both
teams, but this did not take anything away from the two pitchers
who each pitched very solid games. 

 

The game was scoreless after five and half innings as Canadian
pitcher Danielle Lawrie (Langley BC) and Japanese pitcher Hiroko
Sakai battled in a classic pitcher’s duel. Japan Elite was able
to get all three of its runs with two outs in the bottom of the
sixth inning. The Japanese team attempted a sacrifice bunt but
the Canadian first baseman was unable to field the ball and the
runner was safe at first. Meanwhile, the original runner tried
to score on the play but was met at the plate by a perfect throw
to home and was called out. However, the next batter hit an RBI
single, followed by an RBI triple and finally an RBI double as
Japan Elite opened a 3-0 lead.

 

In the top of the seventh, Canada was able to put two runners
on base but could not bring them in to score. Canada simply ran
into a fired up Japanese team and was not able to connect at
the plate as they did in all their previous games.

 

Despite the loss, the Canadians still managed six hits off wining
pitcher Sakai. Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) and Rachel Schill
(Kitchener, ON) each collected two hits for Canada, while Tamra
Howren (White Rock, BC) and Erin Cumpstone each contributed a
single.

 

“Danielle pitched a great game” said Lori Sippel, Head coach
for the Canadian team. “I really believe that this loss has created
a great opportunity for this team to get better than any of the
previous wins. We are really looking forward to getting back
on the field for another day of competition.”  

 

Lawrie pitched 5 2/3 strong innings until the three run inning,
which were all unearned. She gave up only four hits, no walks
while fanning six Japanese batters. Katie Rosentreter came in
to relieve Lawrie and collected the final out in the sixth.

 

With the loss, Canada will have a longer road to the finals,
as they will face the winner between Chinese Taipei and Japan
(Denso Club) – two teams they have already beaten – at 3:30pm
(PT) this afternoon. Japan Elite will face the United States
at 6:30pm (PT) with the winner going directly to the Canada Cup
final tomorrow night. 

 

-SC-

 

For additional 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

gleblanc(at)softball.ca

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105
 

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