FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14th, 2007
Canada and New Zealand split Series opener in Orillia
(Orillia, ON) – The Canadian Men’s National Team opened their International Test Series with an 8-4 win over New Zealand, but lost the second game of the doubleheader 5-0 last night in Orillia, ON. It was the first of three doubleheaders between the two team, who will meet again tonight in Sebringville, ON and tomorrow night in Kitchener, ON.
The fans attending the games in Orillia were treated to two excellent games, as New Zealand and Canada certainly showed why they are ranked #1 and #2 respectively in the World.
In the first game, New Zealand jumped to an early 2-0 lead following a two run, two out single by left fielder Stacy McLean. Catcher Patrick Shannon was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, followed by Jarrad Martin, who reached on an error. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt, leading to the two run single.
Canada tied the game up 2-2 in the bottom of the third on RBI singles by right fielder Stephen Mullaley and first baseman Derek Mayson. Kevin Schellenberg, the shortstop, led off the inning with a single up the middle, and showed off his speed beating out a double play ball at 2nd base. Mullaley then connected with an RBI single, and later scored on Mayson’s single up the middle.
Canada jumped to a 4-2 lead on a run scoring triple by second baseman Ian Fehrman in the 4th and a solo homerun to left-center field by third baseman Jody Eidt. However, New Zealand knotted the game up 4-4 in the top half of the 6th following an RBI single by Martin and a sacrifice fly by Donny Hale.
The Canadian team responded in their half of the 6th, putting the game away by scoring four runs. Schellenberg stroked a double, and was then brought in to score on an RBI single by pinch hitter Keith Mackintosh. Mayson then connected for a three run homerun to put the game out of reach, as Canada went on to win by a score of 8 to 4.
Mayson collected three hits on the night for Canada, while Schellenberg added two singles. Mullaley, Eidt, Rob Gray, Jeff Ellsworth (triple) and Mackintosh each contributed a hit in the win.
For a complete boxscore of Game 1, please visit www.softball.ca.
“Everyone was ready to go and anxious to play, and we jumped all over them” said game hero Derek Mayson. “New Zealand is the top team in the World, and we wanted to come out early and prove we could beat them. This is the best rivalry in the World in Men’s softball right now, and it felt good to get the first win.”
In the second game of the twin bill, Canada ran into excellent pitching as Heinie Shannon hurled a complete game two hitter for New Zealand, striking out 13 batters while only walking one. The Black Sox fed off that performance, led at the plate by speedy shortstop Nathan Nukunuku who had two doubles, a triple and two runs batted in. Patrick Shannon also contributed with a rare inside the park homerun, driving in two runs in the process.
Jody Eidt and Colin Abbott had the two hits for Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Sport/Recreation Management Intern
MBA in Sport and Recreation Management
University of New Brunswick
Coordinator, Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
gleblanc@softball.ca
(613) 523-3386 ext 3105
