Received: 6/26/07 4:50:27 PM From: Gilles LeBlanc <gleblanc(at)magma.ca>
Subject: Canada loses to Australia in rain delayed game FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26th, 2007 Canada loses to Australia in rain delayed game (Enschede, Netherlands) - The Canadian National Junior Women's Softball Team ran into an inspired Australian team and fell by a score of 7-4 in a game that took over four hours to play, thanks to three separate rain delays and strong winds. Canada saw itself fall behind 5-0 after Australia scored five runs in the third inning and added single runs in the fifth and sixth to build a 7-0 lead. Canada was in a run rule situation in the bottom of the sixth but scored twice to cut the margin to 7-2. Canada then added two more in the seventh to cut the lead to three but that is where the rally ended. Canada needs a win against Russia tomorrow to secure third place in their pool. Starter Leah McIntosh (Whitby, ON) got in trouble in the third inning, allowing a lead off double followed by a misplayed bunt which left two runners on base for Australia.. Australia attempted a squeeze play to score the first run, but a nice play by first baseman Heidi Purtzer (Scottsdale, Arizona) retired the runner heading for home for the first out. The next batter hit a single past third and scored the first Aussie run. Megan Evans (Brooklin, ON) replaced McIntosh in the pitcher's circle and the first pitch she threw was hit into the gap in left centre field to score the second run of the game. The next batter followed with a sacrifice fly to score the third run of the game. The wind then came into play as the fourth and fifth runs were scored after routine fly balls were hit into left field and blew back towards the infield and dropped in for base hits. Australia added a run in the fifth inning and again in the sixth off Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) who came in to replace Evans in the third. With the score 7-0, Canada started a rally after Corrine Doornberg fouled off eleven two strike pitches before drawing a walk. Pinch hitter Jillian Lafrance (Calgary, AB) hit a one hopper back to the pitcher who threw it wide and the ball was dropped by the first baseman. Doornberg ended up on third base and Lafrance was replaced by Katrina Lavadan on first. Doornberg then scored on a passed ball for Canada's first run. Lavadan later scored on a ground out by Tanya McLean (Delta, BC) to make it 7-2. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Stephanie LeClair (Kitchener, ON) collected her second hit of the game with a single up the middle and later scored after Purtzer drilled a triple down the left field line that got by a diving left fielder. Purtzer then scored on a passed ball to bring Canada within 3, but that was as close as they would get. "After all the rain delays, it was nice that we came together as a team and pushed hard to score a couple of runs" said Doornberg. "We had players on and off the field of play ready to do her part." Canada's three pitchers gave up nine hits with eight strike outs and three walks. Canada managed four hits at the plate while striking out seven times. "Although the game didn't end the way we would have liked, we put up a good fight towards the end. It just came a little too late" added Purtzer. "Now we just have to be solid from here on out." Canada plays Russia tomorrow at 10:00am (ET). -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 _______________________________________________ Alsfastball mailing list [email protected] http://fastpitchwest.com/mailman/listinfo/alsfastball_fastpitchwest.com
