Received: 6/22/07 7:01:15 AM From: "Gilles Leblanc" <gleblanc(at)softball.ca>
Subject: Canada_Opens_Junior_Women's_World_Championships_with_Win -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2007 Canada Opens Junior Womens World Championships with Win The Canadian National Junior Womens Team opened the ISF Womens World Championships in Holland on a rainy day with a hard fought 2-1 win over Italy. Canada banged out 7 hits but had to overcome a 1-0 third inning deficit. Jenna Caira picked up the win for Canada as she allowed only 3 hits with 8 strike outs and 1 walk in a solid performance. After a scoreless two innings Italy managed 2 hits off Caira in the top of the 3rd inning. After a one out single Italy sacrificed the runner to second and followed with an RBI single past Canadas third baseman Carly Moir to give them the 1 run lead. In the bottom of the inning Heidi Purtzer opened with a single through the left side. Jessica Tieszen laid a sac bunt down and Purtzer tried to go to third on the play and was thrown by the Italians on a heads up play by their catcher. After a second rain delay Canada got back on even terms in the fourth when Katrina Lavadan lined her second single of the game to left field to open the inning. Jesslyn Hodge laid down a sac bunt and moved Lavadan to second. Charlotte Dolan was intentionally walked but Robyn Draper followed by lining a hard single to score Lavadan and tie the game at 1. Canada stranded two runners in scoring position. In the 5th Canada took the lead with a Tieszen one out single to left. Richelle McGarva followed with a double to left centre and Tieszen scored all the way from first base to give Canada a 2-1 lead. Canada stranded McGarva at second. In the 6th Dolan drilled a hard shot past the third baseman for Canadas 7th hit but was left there as Canada could not move her. In the top of the 7th things got interesting and Canada needed to make a heads up play to keep their lead and secure the victory. Caira struck out the first batter but hit the second. Canada ran a pick off and caught the Italian runner off first but Drapers throw to second bounced and Hodge could not handle the throw. Caira got the second out with a strike out. With two out and a runner on second the Italian batter hit a slow bouncer to Moir who fired to first base in a bang/bang play. The batter was called safe and the Italian coach sent his runner from second home. Canadas first baseman Heidi Purtzer made a heads up play with a quick throw to the plate and Draper managed to put a sweep tag on the Italian runner as she tried to go around the Canadian catcher to preserve the 2-1 win. After overcoming some first game jitters we believe the team had a great start to the Tournament commented team captains Carly Moir and Robyn Draper after the game. However we also realize there is always room for improvement and the team will only get stronger from here on out. The team has great potential in medaling at this event, we have a close group of girls and as long as we stay together we will be successful. We plan on taking it one day at a time, one game at a time and before we know it we will be there in the final game next Saturday After two long weeks of preparation, and an eventful start to this journey, it was great to finally step on the field and see the girls compete added assistant coach Melissa Basilio. This group of young ladies has the tools and the heart. And, in the 2 days of exhibition play and our first game today, this team showed that they have great potential to bring a medal home to Canada. Canada plays Botswana tomorrow at 3 PM (9 AM ET). Games can be seen live through Written by: Glenn Boles, Assistant Coach -SC- For more information, 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 Al's Fastball News *Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/ NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball VIA http://www.webbox.com
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