Received: 7/7/07 11:33:57 AM From: "Gilles Leblanc" <gleblanc(at)softball.ca>
Subject: Canada suffers first setback at the Canada Cup -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7th, 2007 Canada suffers first setback at the Canada Cup (Surrey, BC) The Canadian Senior Womens National Team (1st place in red pool) suffered its first lost at the Canada Cup last night, falling to Japan Elite (2nd place in white pool) by a score of 3-0. It was the second game of the day for both teams, but this did not take anything away from the two pitchers who each pitched very solid games. The game was scoreless after five and half innings as Canadian pitcher Danielle Lawrie (Langley BC) and Japanese pitcher Hiroko Sakai battled in a classic pitchers duel. Japan Elite was able to get all three of its runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Japanese team attempted a sacrifice bunt but the Canadian first baseman was unable to field the ball and the runner was safe at first. Meanwhile, the original runner tried to score on the play but was met at the plate by a perfect throw to home and was called out. However, the next batter hit an RBI single, followed by an RBI triple and finally an RBI double as Japan Elite opened a 3-0 lead. In the top of the seventh, Canada was able to put two runners on base but could not bring them in to score. Canada simply ran into a fired up Japanese team and was not able to connect at the plate as they did in all their previous games. Despite the loss, the Canadians still managed six hits off wining pitcher Sakai. Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) and Rachel Schill (Kitchener, ON) each collected two hits for Canada, while Tamra Howren (White Rock, BC) and Erin Cumpstone each contributed a single. Danielle pitched a great game said Lori Sippel, Head coach for the Canadian team. I really believe that this loss has created a great opportunity for this team to get better than any of the previous wins. We are really looking forward to getting back on the field for another day of competition. Lawrie pitched 5 2/3 strong innings until the three run inning, which were all unearned. She gave up only four hits, no walks while fanning six Japanese batters. Katie Rosentreter came in to relieve Lawrie and collected the final out in the sixth. With the loss, Canada will have a longer road to the finals, as they will face the winner between Chinese Taipei and Japan (Denso Club) two teams they have already beaten at 3:30pm (PT) this afternoon. Japan Elite will face the United States at 6:30pm (PT) with the winner going directly to the Canada Cup final tomorrow night. -SC- For additional 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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