June 24, 2006
Canada downed by the Riptide 5 to 3
(Kitchener, ON) - After splitting the first two games in the Ontario Tour against the New England Riptide, the Senior Women's National Team looked to improve on their offence to take a one game lead in the series.
Team Canada's ace, Lauren Bay (Trail, BC) who saw action for the first time during the Ontario Tour, started for Canada and struggled early giving up two walks and one hit in the first inning. Bay continued to battle through New England's line up until she was relieved in the third by Kaila Holtz (North Vancouver, BC). Bay allowed two hits, one run and struck out three in just over two innings of work.
"New England is a good hitting team" admitted Bay. "They battled well at the plate and I often found myself behind in the count. I walked a few batters and those walks came back to haunt me. This is something I'm looking to improve on. I hope next time out I can clean up my game to take the pressure off of my defense."
New England took to an early two run lead on Rbi's from Lyndsey Angus (Leominster, MA) and Tarrah Beyster (San Diego, CA). Jocelyn Forest (Berkeley, CA) picked up the win for New England, starting where she left off in game one of the Tour, holding Canada to only one run until the sixth inning.
Rachel Schill (Kitchener, ON) started the offence for Canada in the third with a single and a stolen base. Schill was then scored off of a single from Kristy Odamura (Richmond, BC). Team Canada tried to continue their attack in the fourth pulling confidence from an inning ending diving catch from Noemie Marin (Acton Vale, QC) however, were held hitless until the sixth inning.
Pitching continued to be a struggle for Canada as Robin Mackin (Newmarket, ON) came in to relive Holtz in the top of the fourth inning, giving up two runs (in the seventh) on five hits in three innings pitched.
Canada found life on a sixth inning solo home run from Sheena Lawrick (Calgary, AB) pulling Canada within one run.
Canada pressured in the bottom of the seventh, chipping away at a three run lead, with a lead off single from Cindy Eadie (Brantford, ON). With Erin McLean (Whitby, ON) to pinch run for Eadie, Angela Lichty (Guelph, ON) singled to left center scoring McLean and pulling within two. Erin Cumpstone (Saskatoon, SK) singled to keep the drive alive advancing Lichty to third. With runners at first and third and down by two, Danielle Henderson (Commack, NY) entered the game picked up the save and ended Canada's comeback.
"You never know what you are made of until you are pressured" stated Lori Sippel, Head Coach of the Women's National Team. "We kept building throughout the game however we needed to come out strong and take care of the process from beginning to the end. We had a strong finish. No one went up to bat with fear in their eyes in the last inning and that is what it is going to take to win!"
The Senior Women's National Team will close out their Ontario Tour with a win against the New England Riptide on Sunday, June 25th at Peter Hallman Ball Yard. For tickets and complete statistical information including game sheets, please visit www.softball.ca
For more information, please contact:
Rick Picard
Director, Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
rpicard@softball.ca
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
(613) 558-4663 (Cell)
