July2008

Canada takes 9-5 win over the USA

July 5, 2008

Saskatoon, SK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5th, 2008
 
Canada takes 9-5 win over the USA
By Barry Smith, Senior Men’s National TeamStatistician
 
(Saskatoon, SK) – In the late game lastnight (July 4th), Canada got on the board early in the home half ofthe first inning when Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI) led off with a single.Chad Ghostkeeper’s (Prince George, BC) sacrifice bunt attempt was dropped by USpitcher Gerald Pyle putting runners on first and second. After Steve Mullaley(Freshwater, NL) bunted the runners to second and third, Jody Eidt (Mitchell,ON) hit a ground ball to first base. The situation turned in favour of Canadawhen the ball popped out of first baseman Kyle Beane’s glove and rolled downthe right field line on the tag allowing Ellsworth and Ghostkeeper to score andEidt to move to third. Eidt scored Canada’s third run on a sacrifice fly byKeith Mackintosh (Melfort, SK).
 
Canada increased the lead to 4-0 in thesecond inning as first baseman Jason Sanford (Durham, NS) drilled a home runover the right field fence. The Americans answered immediately when they scoredthree runs in the top of the third inning highlighted by a Nate Devine doubleand a home run off the bat of catcher Frank DeGroat. All the runs were scoredafter pitcher Trevor Ethier (Saskatoon, SK) had recorded two outs.
 
The Canadians scored three more of theirown in the fifth inning. Jeff Ellsworth started the rally with a one out walkand proceeded to steal second base. Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) followedwith a walk. Steve Mullaley reached on a fielder’s choice, as Mayson was erasedat second base and Ellsworth moved to third. Jody Eidt walked to load the basesbringing second baseman Keith Mackintosh to the plate. The count ran full afterthe first three pitches were called balls. Mackintosh then hit the offeringfrom US reliever Cody Thompson past second base to score Ellsworth andMullaley. Eidt made a heads up play by continuing to run and scoring when henoticed the second baseman holding onto the ball on the throw from theoutfield.
 
After the US had closed the gap to 7-4 inthe top of the sixth inning, Canada replied with two runs in the bottom of thesame frame on a home run by Kevin Schellenberg (Squamish, BC) scoring JasonHill (St. John’s, NL) who had walked earlier in the inning.
 
The final US run came on a long home run byNate Devine off Canadian reliever Frank Cox (Elliot Lake, ON).
 
Canada will take on Japan at 6:30pm CST tonightin Saskatoon for their final round-robin meeting. The second and third placeteams following round-robin play will square off in a semi-final game at 1:00pmCST tomorrow. The winner of that game will move on to face the first place teamat 3:30pm CST.
 
 
 
For more information, please contact
 
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager: Marketing and CommunicationsServices
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext 3105
 
OUR SPONSORS

TRENDING NOW
@alsfastball
FRIENDS OF AL'S FASTBALL
AU Sable AFP Fastpitch Fastpitch West International Softball Congress Men’s Fastpitch SA North American Fastpitch Association Ontario Amateur Softball Association

Ontario Masters Fastball sports betting site betway Shooters Fastpitch League Softball Canada Softball New Zealand WBSC