FW: Softball Canada Media Release / Communiqué de presse

[Al's Fastball News]

KFC World Cup of Softball V - Games #5 and #6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 26, 2010 

Canada splits pair of games, will play for Bronze at the KFC
World Cup V 

(Oklahoma City, OK) The Canadian Women's National Team handed
the United States their first loss of the tournament, and scored
more runs against USA than anyone has this summer in a rain-delayed
5-2 victory. Canada temporarily improved its record to 2-3 with
the win, but dropped a 4-0 decision to Japan later in the evening
to finish 2-4. As a result, Canada will play in the Bronze medal
game at 5:00pm EDT on Monday. 

Against the United States, Canada scored all of its five runs
in the top of the third, before the rain settled in for a lengthy
delay in the top of the fifth inning. When the game resumed,
the Americans fought back hard in the bottom of the seventh,
but came up short. 

The United States opened the scoring in the bottom of the second
on an RBI single by Ashley Charters, but Canada responded right
away with their big inning. Erin Cumpstone (Saskatoon, SK) led
things off with a single through the left side of the infield,
and Heather Ebert (Rosthern, SK) sacrificed pinch runner Victoria
Hayward (Mountain View, California) to second. Joey Lye (Toronto,
ON) then forced a walk before Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) doubled
up the middle to bring in two runs. Caitlin Lever (Buffalo, New
York) then double to push Matthews in to score, and Jenn Yee
(North Delta, BC) followed that up with a two-run homerun to
center field to give Canada a commanding 5-1 lead. 

The United States showed life in the bottom of the seventh, scoring
a run and loading the bases with two outs, but Canadian pitcher
Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) forced a ground ball to end the game.


Caira earned the victory in the pitcher's circle, pitching the
first four innings and allowing only one run on three hits. Danielle
Lawrie (Langley, BC) came on in relief and allowed one run on
five hits with three strikeouts in two and two thirds innings,
but Caira re-entered the game to get the final out. Eileen Canney
was the losing pitcher for the Americans, allowing all five runs
on four hits over two and a third innings. Jennie Finch then
came on to pitch four and two third hitless innings of relief,
walking four batters and striking out five. 

Offensively, Melanie Matthews and Jenn Yee each had a hit and
two runs batted in, while Caitlin Lever added an RBI double.
Erin Cumpstone had the other hit for Canada, as they scored their
five runs on only four hits. 

In the nightcap, Japan scored single runs in the second, third,
fourth and sixth innings, and Makiko Fujiwara and Sayuri Yamane
combined to allow only four total hits to shut out the Canadian
squad 4-0. Melanie Matthews had two singles for Canada, while
Sheena Lawrick (Calgary, AB) and Evelyne Pare (Ile-Perrot, QC)
had the other hits. 

Tina Andreana (Oakville, ON) took the loss in the pitcher's circle
for Canada, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and
three walks in four innings of work. Ashley Lanz (Winnipeg, MB)
pitched the last three innings, allowing one run on three hits.


With a 2-4 record, Canada will play in the Bronze medal game
later today at 5:00pm EDT. Their opponent will be determined
later today, as the United States (4-1) take on the USA Futures
NT (2-3) at 1:00pm EDT. A Futures win would force a tie with
Japan (3-3) to determine who will face USA in the Gold medal
game (9:00pm EDT) and who will play Canada in the Bronze medal
game. 

The Gold medal game will air on TSN at midnight EDT early on
Tuesday morning. The Bronze medal game can be seen on webcast
at http://asa.video4ever.net/index.htm. Live scoring for both
games will also be available on USA Softball's GameTracker. Check
the Softball Canada at www.softball.ca to follow the game. 

Canada 5 vs. United States 2: GameTracker 

Canada 0 vs. Japan 4: GameTracker 

-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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