FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2011

Canada opens Pan American Games with win against Puerto Rico

(Guadalajara, Mexico) Canada's Senior Women's National Softball Team opened up the Pan American Games tournament with a 10-2 win in five innings over Puerto Rico (1-1).

Canada got off to a fast start with two runs in the first inning after Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) led off with a walk and Victoria Hayward (Toronto, ON) reached safely on an error. Jennifer Yee (North Delta, BC) moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) followed with a hard single through the left side of the infield to score both. Jennifer Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC) was robbed of an extra base hits when her line drive down the right field was run down and caught.

In the bottom of the first, Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) got off to a rough start as she gave up three hits and two runs and worked out of a bases loaded jam. Caira would only allow one hit the rest of the game.

In the third, Rafter led off with a double and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kelsey Haberl (Burnaby, BC). After Salling walked, Megan Timpf (Port Dover, ON) drilled a shot past the third baseman to score Rafter. Canada left six runners on base over the first three innings of play.

In the fourth, Canada scored seven runs as Matthews, Hayward and Yee singled to load the bases and Rafter emptied the bases with a double to right centre field. After Haberl walked, Salling singled to centre to score Rafter. Joey Lye (Toronto, ON) singled with a soft liner to load the bases and Timpf drew a walk to earn her second RBI. Lye scored on a fielder's choice by Heather Ebert (Rosthern, SK).

Jenna Caira earned the win in the pitcher's circle, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks, striking out four batters in five innings. Rafter led the team at the plate with three hits and five runs batted in. Melanie Matthews added a pair of hits.

Canada (1-0) will face Venezuela (1-0) at 5:00pm EDT followed by Cuba (1-0) at 7:30pm EDT tonight.

Canada 10 vs. Puerto Rico 2 - Box Score

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For more information, please contact:

Gilles LeBlanc
Manager - Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
gleblanc@softball.ca