june2008

Walker delivers key hit again in 2-1playoff win over New Zealand

June 29, 2008

Whitehorse, YK

 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2008
Walker delivers key hit again in 2-1playoff win over New Zealand
(Whitehorse, Yukon) – Terrell Walker (Balcarres, SK)had the game winning hit once again against New Zealand, drilling a ground ballup the middle to score Shane Boland (Goulds, NL) from second in the bottom ofthe seventh inning to give Canada the 2-1 win. Dustine Keshane (Norquay, SK)kept going strong after an eight inning no-hitter last night, pitching thecomplete game win while only allowing two hits, both in the sixth inning.
On a cold day with strong winds blowing towards homeplate, neither team was really able to get anything going until the fifthinning, when Canada opened the scoring. Jessin Potskin (Prince George, BC) ledoff with a single through the right side, while Dan Mitchell (Paris, ON) latersingled as well. New Zealand then intentionally walked Terrell Walker, who haddelivered the winning hit against them in round-robin play, to load the basesfor Dylan Cunningham (Belwood, ON). Rather than produce the run with theirbats, Canada took advantage of a wild pitch that bounced off the screen andwent back to the catcher, who dove for the tag but Potskin barely touched thecorner of the plate ahead of the tag to give Canada the 1-0 lead.
New Zealand certainly did not lay down, as theleadoff hitter singled and later scored on an error. The Kiwis followed up witha single, but Keshane forced a ground ball to Cunningham at third who touchedhis base for a force out and fired the ball over to first for the inning-endingdouble play. In the bottom of the inning, Canada was able to get a runner inscoring position, but was unable to score.
After Keshane made quick work of New Zealand in thetop of the seventh, Canada seized the opportunity they had been looking for.Shane Boland forced a walk to lead off the inning, followed by a sacrifice buntby Dan Mitchell, who was called safe at first as the first baseman bobbled theball. With one out, Walker came up to the plate and hit a ground ball up themiddle past a diving second baseman. Boland did not hesitate as he was wavedhome setting up a close play at home on the center fielder’s throw. Boland slidhead-first and the Kiwi catcher was unable to come up with the ball, as theCanadian team erupted from the dugout in joy.
Keshane was phenomenal once again less than 24 hoursafter his no-hitter, allowing only one unearned run on two hits and one walkover seven innings, striking out seven batters. Walker had a pair of singlesfor Canada, including the game-winning hit, while Mike Noftall (St. John’s,NL), Potskin and Mitchell each added a single
The Canadian win eliminated New Zealand from thetournament. It was the third straight time they have lost to Canada in thethird versus fourth playoff game at the ISF Junior Men’s World Championships.Immediately after the game, Australia defeated Japan 4-1 to earn a direct spotin Sunday’s Championship game at 4:00pm PDT. At 1:00pm, Canada will take onJapan; with the winner going on to play Australia in the Championship game,while the losing team will be awarded the bronze medal.
Both of tomorrow’s games (June 29th) willbe aired live on Ballpark Radio through the internet. Visit www.softball.ca for a link to Ballpark Radio,and be sure to visit the Multimedia section for pictures from the event!
 
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