Canada Defeats Virgin Islands at Pan Am Championships

October 5, 2006

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Canada Defeats Virgin Islands at Pan Am Championships

 

(HERMOSILLO - Mexico) -  The Senior Men's National Softball Team defeated the Virgin Islands 11-0 at the Pan American Softball Championship in Hermosillo, Mexico on Wednesday evening.

 

Team Canada’s bats came alive this evening in an 11-0 five inning victory over the Virgin Islands.  Canada's pitching continued to be strong as Rick Smith (Duncan, BC) was almost perfect in the circle pitching a no hitter to earn the victory.

 

The only Virgin Islands runner to reach base was Derwin Sutcliffe who reached on an error by first baseman Derek Mayson. It appeared that Mayson had tagged Sutcliffe out as he was running to first but the ball came loose and allowed the speedy runner to reach second base. Sutcliffe was soon gunned down by catcher Chris Shewfelt (Stoney Creek, ON) when he tried to steal third base. In his five innings of work, Smith didn't give up more than 1 ball on any batter & struck out 9 in total.

 

“It was a good win" admitted Smith. "We just went right after their hitters. The game plan was to throw strikes and see if they could catch up.”

 

Canada took to the early lead in the first scoring a pair of runs.  After Jeff Ellsworth (Alberton, PE) reached on a bunt single, Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) laced a triple to the right field corner scoring Ellsworth. Mayson scored on a fielder’s choice by Rob O’Brien (Elora, ON).

 

The Canadians put 3 more on the board in the 2^nd inning. Shewfelt started the inning by reaching on an error by shortstop Jeremy Penn. Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) followed with a home run over the right field fence. Shortstop Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB) then lined a single to left field and eventually came around to score on a ground out by Ellsworth.

 

Canada put the game out of reach as they notched 6 runs in the 4^th inning. Shewfelt started the rally by lining a hard single off pitcher Allen Smith’s glove. Ian Fehrman doubled to right center field moving Shewfelt to third. Both runners scored on Giesbrecht’s single up the middle. Scott Newitt (Delta, BC) walked then moved to second on a wild pitch. Mayson then singled home Giesbrecht. The scoring was completed when Steve Mullaley (Freshwater, NL) hit Allen Smith’s first pitch over the left field fence for a 3 run home run.

 

With the win Canada improves their record to 4 wins and 3 losses. Only two games remain in the Pan Am Championship round robin.  Canada next faces the Bahamas (8:00 am, Thursday, October 5^th) and will round out round robin play versus Guatemala (5:00 pm, Friday, October 6^th)

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For more information, please contact

 

Rick Picard

Director, Marketing and Communications

Softball Canada

rpicard@softball.ca

(613) 523-3386