Canada drops a 5-4 decision at KFC World Cup of Softball V

[Al's Fastball News]

Canada drops a 5-4 decision at KFC World Cup of Softball V 

(Oklahoma City, OK) The Canadian Women's National Softball Team
fell to 0-2 at the KFC World Cup of Softball V this afternoon
in Oklahoma City as the United States Futures National Team came
out with a 5-4 win. Canada will be looking to get into the win
column later tonight when they will take on Japan at 10:00pm
EDT. 

Canada opened the scoring in the top of the second inning, as
Sheena Lawrick (Calgary, AB) led off with a single and was sacrificed
to second by Jen Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC). Erin Cumpstone
(Saskatoon, SK) then delivered a double to left center field
to push Lawrick in for the first run of the game. 

The USA Futures responded in the bottom half of the fourth, when
Valerie Arioto and Jenae Leles each walked to start the inning
and both advanced on a wild pitch. Molly Johnson then singled
to score Arioto, and Leles later scored on a single by Katelyn
Boyd., giving the USA Futures a 2-1 lead. 

The seesaw battle continued as Canada put up three more runs
in the top of the sixth. Caitlin Lever (Buffalo, New York) hit
a one-out single, and after advancing to second on a groundout,
scored on a single by Lawrick. Jen Salling then hit a two-run
homerun to give Canada a 4-2 lead. However, the USA Futures wasted
no time re-taking the lead, scoring three runs of their own in
the bottom of the frame. Valerie Arioto earned a leadoff walk,
followed by a single by Leles which pushed Arioto to third. After
a stolen base placed runners on second and third, Jessica Purcell-Fitu
stepped up and hit a two-run single to centerfield, and later
scored on an error. 

Down by a run in the top of the seventh, Canada came close to
tying the game but was not able to extend the game. Jill Russell
(London, ON) hit a one-out double to left field and advanced
to third on a wild pitch, but was left stranded as the USA Futures
took the 5-4 win. 

Canada used a pitching by committee strategy for the game, as
all four pitchers saw action in the pitcher's circle. Jenna Caira
(Toronto, ON) threw the first three innings, allowing only three
hits while striking out four batters. Tina Andreana (Oakville,
ON) then came in to throw two innings, allowing two runs on two
hits with two strikeouts. Ashley Lanz (Winnipeg, MB) took the
loss, allowing three runs on four hits over two thirds of an
inning, while Danielle Lawrie (Langley, BC) came in to strike
out the only batter she faced to end the sixth inning. Angela
Tincher notched the win for the USA Futures, allowing four runs
on eight hits over six innings of work, while Jordan Taylor earned
the save by pitching the seventh inning. 

Sheena Lawrick led Canada at the plate with three hits, while
Jill Russell added two. Caitlin Lever, Jen Salling, Erin Cumpstone
and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) each chipped in with a hit. 

Canada will be back in action later tonight, when they will play
Japan at 10:00pm EDT. The game can be watched on webcast at http://asa.video4ever.net/index.htm,
while live scoring will also be available on USA Softball's GameTracker.
Check the Softball Canada at www.softball.ca to follow the game.


Canada 4 vs. USA Futures National Team 5: GameTracker 

-SC- 

For more information, please contact: 

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

 Al's Fastball News
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