Canada suffers heartbreaking loss at KFC World Cup of Softball V

[Al's Fastball News]

Canada suffers heartbreaking loss at KFC World Cup of Softball
V 

(Oklahoma City, OK) The Canadian Women's National Softball Team
was in need of their first win late last night as they took on
the ISF World Championship Silver medalists from Japan in their
second game of the day. The red and white outplayed Japan on
both sides of the field, but was not able to capitalize on their
chances, allowing Japan to score the only run of the game in
the bottom of the eighth. 

The Japanese defence was at their best, ending the first two
innings with double plays. Team Canada's best chance to score
was in the top of the third. Joey Lye (Toronto, ON) hit a one-out
single to left field and advanced to second on an error, followed
by a walk to Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC). After a fielder's
choice forced Lye out at third, Jenn Yee (North Delta, BC) walked
to load the bases, but the next batter flied out to center to
end the threat. 

In the pitcher's circle, Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) did a terrific
job to hold the Japanese hitters off the scoreboard. The leadoff
hitters were able to reach base in the second, fourth, fifth
and sixth innings, but Caira was able to force numerous fielder's
choices and managed the game well to keep Japan scoreless through
seven innings. 

With a runner starting on second base due to the international
tie-breaker rule in the top of the eighth inning, the Canadian
runner advanced to third on a fly out but Canada was unable to
bring her in to score. Japan took advantage of having the last
at-bat, as Haruma Sakomoto hit a one-out single to right field
to give Japan the 1-0 walk off victory. 

Despite an excellent performance in the pitcher's circle, Jenna
Caira took the hard luck loss, allowing one run on only four
hits and five walks, striking out seven batters. At the plate,
Caitlin Lever (Buffalo, New York) led Canada with a pair of singles,
while Lye, Sheena Lawrick (Calgary, AB), Jen Salling (Port Coquitlam,
BC) and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) each chipped in with a hit.


Canada will be seeking its first win of the tournament tonight
when they will play the USA Futures National Team at 10:00pm
EDT. The game can be watched on webcast at http://asa.video4ever.net/index.htm,
and live scoring will also be available on USA Softball's GameTracker.
Check the Softball Canada at www.softball.ca to follow the game.


Canada 0 vs. Japan 1 (8 innings): 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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