FW: Softball Canada Media Release / Communiqué de presse

[Al's Fastball News]

Canada ends Exhibition Series with win over the United States


(Whitehorse, YK) The Canadian Women's National Softball Team
defeated Team USA 5-1 on Wednesday night, ending the six-game
exhibition series played between the two teams in Surrey, BC
and Whitehorse, YK. After winning the first two games in Surrey,
Canada then lost the next three - including the first game in
Whitehorse on Tuesday - before evening the series at three wins
apiece with tonight's win. 

Feeding off the momentum from Tuesday night's seventh inning
comeback that just fell short, Canada got off to a great start
with a hit and two walks in the top of the first inning, but
was not able to score. The red and white was then able to put
two more runners on in the second, but again could not bring
anyone in. 

However, Canada got on the board in the third inning, as Caitlin
Lever (Buffalo, New York) started things off with a double to
left-center field. Jenn Yee (North Delta, BC) then singled to
advance Lever to third, and stole second base. Sheena Lawrick
(Calgary, AB) then hit a soft line drive up the middle to bring
both runners in to score, advancing to second on a throw to the
plate and to third when the ball got by the American catcher.
Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) later hit a fly ball to right field
to drive in Lawrick, giving Canada a 3-0 lead. 

Team Canada added another run in the top of the fifth, when Lever
got on base once again to start the inning by reaching on a dropped
third strike that was thrown away by the catcher. Lever then
stole second base, and advanced to third on a single by Lawrick.
Jen Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC) then hit a deep sacrifice fly
to centerfield to push Lever across the plate for Canada's fourth
run. 

The United States got on the board in their half of the fifth.
Chelsea Bramlett reached on a walk and got to third after a double
by Brittany Lastrapes. Bramlett then scored on a groundout to
second base to reduce the lead to 4-1. 

Canada added its fifth and final run in the top of the sixth
inning, when Kaleigh Rafter drove a frozen rope line drive that
went over the fence in center field. 

Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) was fantastic in the pitcher's circle
for Canada, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking
out five batters in three innings. Danielle Lawrie (Langley,
BC) was also very effective in closing out the game, allowing
one run on two hits with six strikeouts in four innings of relief.


Offensively, Sheena Lawrick paced Canada with three hits and
two runs batted in. Caitlin Lever, Jenn Yee, Kaleigh Rafter,
Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) and Jill Russell (London, ON) each
added a hit. 

Following a well-deserved few days off, Team Canada will be back
in action on Thursday, July 22nd when they will take on the full
US National Team at 8:00pm EDT in Oklahoma City. The game will
be broadcasted on TSN at midnight EDT later that night. 

Canada 5 vs. United States 1: Box score and Play-by-Play 

-SC- 

For more information, please contact: 

Gilles LeBlanc 
Manager - Marketing and Communications 
Softball Canada 
(613) 797-7171 
gleblanc at softball.ca
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