Received: 6/23/07 11:11:42 PM From: Gilles LeBlanc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Canada suffers first loss at Junior Womenâs World Championships -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2007 Canada suffers first loss at Junior Womenâs World Championships (Enschede, Netherlands) â The Canadian Junior Womenâs National Team had their chances but ended up on the short end of a 5-1 extra inning loss to the heavily favoured United States. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie after seven innings and went to the international tie breaker rule. The Americans managed to spray out three hits with a couple of walks to score four runs to give them a 5-1 lead. Canada managed a lead off walk in the bottom of the inning but could only manage three infield outs as the USA closed the game out. Canada opened the scoring in the second inning when captain Carly Moir (White Rock, BC) lined a double to left centre field. Stephanie LeClair (Kitchener, ON) followed with a single to left field and Moir scored to give Canada a 1-0 lead. The United States finally got on the board in the fifth inning after Canadian pitcher Leah McIntosh (Whitby, ON) had not allowed a hit to the Americans after the first four innings. The Americans got their first hit, a leadoff single to centre field, and sacrificed that runner to second. McIntosh struck out the next batter, but with two out the United States tied the game on an opposite field single that fell in front of LeClair. Canada kept the pressure on in their half of the fifth, moving runners to second and third with only one out. However, the American pitcher struck out the next two batters to escape the inning. Canadaâs Robyn Draper (Brampton, ON) led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield single off the pitcherâs glove but was picked off at first after a missed bunt attempt, and the Canadian rally was cut short. After seven innings, the International Tie-Breaker Rule came into effect, as each team started the inning with a runner on second base. USA loaded the bases in their half of the inning before the Canadian pitcher walked in the go-ahead run. The Americans would then clear the bases with a double to take a 5-1 lead and put the game away. Despite the loss, the Canadian players felt honoured to represent their country. âWhen I see the name written across the front of our jerseys, hear our anthem, and step on the field, I then realize how incredible this opportunity isâ stated Leah McIntosh. âToday, we went out there like any other game and played well. We came together as a team and have made our mark.â âThe idea of being Team Canada and just having the opportunity to represent my country is amazing!â added Jenna Caira. âItâs something Iâve been waiting for my whole life and itâs like a dream come true.â âToday was a great game had by allâ said Head Coach Mark Sanderson. âWe continue to grow and build as a team and thatâs what we want to see.â Canada will face Argentina tomorrow at 2:00pm (ET). The game can be seen via webcam feeds at Softball Canadaâs website (www.softball.ca). -SC- For more information, please 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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