Canada blanks South Africa to Remain Undefeated at ISF Men’s World Championship
July 23, 2009
Saskatoon, SK
FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE
July22nd, 2009
Canadablanks South Africa to Remain Undefeated at ISF Men’s World Championship
(Saskatoon,SK) – Team Canada shut out South Africa 7-0 in five innings on the run rule toimprove their first place record in Pool B to 6-0 with one round-robin game togo. Todd Martin (Bracebridge, ON) fired a one-hitter in the pitcher’s circle,while Kevin Schellenberg (Squamish, BC), Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) and DerekMayson (North Vancouver, BC) all hit solo homeruns in the fourth to lead Canadato the win. Sean O’Brien (St. John’s, NL) also drove in three runs.
SouthAfrican pitcher Tidima Kekana seemed to have the opposing hitters on theirheels in the first inning, but Canada’s bats woke up in the second. DerekMayson got Canada started by lashing a triple to the left-centerfield gap, justbeating the throw to third. Dale Levy (St. Mary’s ON) then hit a single todrive in Mayson, followed by another single by Craig Crawford (Markham, ON).Sean O’Brien then singled to right to drive in Levy, and Craig Crawford took awide turn at third and scored when the right fielder threw the ball to thecutoff man, giving Canada a 3-0 lead.
Justas Todd Martin did all game long, South Africa managed to keep the opposinghitters under control until the fifth inning, when Canada scored four runs toend the game on the run rule. After a fly-out, Schellenberg and Fehrman hitback-to-back homeruns, and one out later, Derek Mayson added a solo shot of hisown. Dale Levy then drew a walk, followed by a single by Craig Crawford toplace runners on first and third. Sean O’Brien then smashed a hit to left fieldto drive in Levy for the winning run.
Martinwas exceptional in the pitcher’s circle, allowing only one hit with 10strikeouts over five innings. Mayson, Levy, Crawford and O’Brien all had twohits for Canada, while Schellenberg, Fehrman and Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB)all added one.
Canada(6-0) will finish the round-robin portion of their schedule when they will takeon Puerto Rico (2-4) at 6:30pm CST on Thursday. The playoff round will begin onFriday.
Inother Day 6 action at the ISF Men’s World Championship, Argentina beatIndonesia 15-1, the Philippines defeated Botswana 7-5, Australia outscored theCzech Republic 5-1, Japan used a late rally to defeat Denmark 14-7, Venezuelapounded Puerto Rico 13-2, and New Zealand beat Mexico 13-1. USA is currentlyplaying Great Britain in a game that will have major implications on the Pool Astandings.
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Formore information, please contact:
GillesLeBlanc
Manager– Marketing and Communications
SoftballCanada
(613)797-7171
