July 6^th, 2008

(Saskatoon, SK) - The somewhat silentCanadian bats finally got going in last night’s 8-1 five inning win over theJapanese National Team.

Canada jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead inthe top of the first inning when Ryan Wolfe (Melbourne, ON) led off with asingle, moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a fly ball to rightcenter field by Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB). Derek Mayson (North Vancouver,BC) was then hit by a pitch. Wolfe scored and Mayson moved to third on JodyEidt’s (Mitchell, ON) single, and he moved over to second on the throw. Maysonand Eidt both scored on a single up the middle by designated player KeithMackintosh (Melfort, SK).

 

Japan’s lone run came in the second inningwhen left fielder Norihiko Aoyana doubled home shortstop Ryuji Hazeyama who hadsingled earlier in the inning.

 

The Canadians tacked on two more runs intheir half of the third as Derek Mayson launched a solo shot to center fieldoff losing pitcher Kazutaka Murasato and Jody Eidt quickly followed with atriple down the right field line. Eidt scored on a line shot double down theleft field line by Keith Mackintosh. The RBI was Mackintosh’s sixth of thetournament.

 

Japanese reliever Kengo Terui sent TeamCanada down in order in the fourth inning but the fifth inning was a differentstory as they scored three runs to end the game via the run-against rule. RobGiesbrecht started the inning by drawing a base on balls. After Derek Mayson’ssacrifice bunt moved Giesbrecht to second, Jody Eidt followed with his thirdhit of the game, this one a double to the gap in left center field. SteveMullaley (Freshwater, NL) capped the scoring by blasting a two-run home run tocenter field scoring Eidt ahead of him.

 

Nick Underhill (Campbell River, BC) wentthe distance for the win, giving up four hits and striking out five.

 

The victory moves Canada directly to thechampionship game at 3:30pm CST this afternoon. Japan and the United Stateswill square off in the semi-final game at 1:00pm.

 

 

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