FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2011

Canada defeats New Zealand at ISF Junior Women's World Softball Championship

(Cape Town, South Africa) Canada's Junior Women's National Team earned their third win of the tournament with a come from behind 7-1 win over New Zealand. Canada now has a record of 3-1 after losing their first game to the United States, and will face the host team from South Africa Monday at 12:30pm EST.

Canada spotted New Zealand a 1-0 second inning lead as winning pitcher Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, AB) gave up two of the three hits she allowed in the game during the second inning. Hovinga was sharp in the pitcher`s circle as she controlled the game allowing only three hits while striking out seven and not allowing a walk. New Zealand had only three runners left on base.

Canada's Jennifer Gilbert (Saskatoon, SK) started the game with a slap single through the right side of the infield but was forced out at second when Victoria Hayward's (Toronto, ON) drag was played to second. Hayward took second on some heads up base running as New Zealand left second base uncovered on the play, but Canada was unable to bring her in to score. Hovinga sit down the New Zealand hitters in order.

Canada threatened in the top of the second when Carey-Leigh Thomas (Ohsweken, ON) drew a walk. Shannon Davidson (Whitby, ON) hit a ground ball that was misplayed by the New Zealand second baseman and the ball bounced into centre field. Thomas tried to advance to third but stumbled going around second and was thrown out in a close play at third. Davidson advanced to second on the throw. However, the next batter struck out to end the threat.

In the New Zealand half of the second inning, they scored their only run of the game as Hovinga gave up a one out single and with two out gave up a line drive single that dropped just in front of left fielder Erika Polidori (Brantford, ON). Hovinga ended the threat with a ground out to short.

After a scoreless third, Canada got back on even terms with New Zealand with two outs in the fourth. Carey-Leigh Thomas hit a line drive well over the center field fence to give Canada its first run of the game. Davidson then drew a walk, but Kristy Noble (Uxbridge, ON) flew out to center field to end the inning.

The top of the fifth, New Zealand made a pitching change and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, BC) was walked to lead off the inning. Franklin was thrown out at second after Gilbert laid down a bunt. Victoria Hayward then slapped a single up the middle to move Gilbert to second, before Polidori grounded out to second to move both runners ahead. Gilbert scored on a passed ball to give Canada the lead. Jaycee Affeldt (Maple Ridge, BC) drew a walk and was replaced by Tessa Loewen (Abbotsford, BC) to pinch run. Loewen attempted to steal second and was thrown out to end the inning. New Zealand got a runner on in the bottom of the fifth when a one out line drive went off third baseman's Carey-Leigh Thomas glove. With a runner on second, Hovinga got the third out with a strikeout.

Canada busted the game open with five runs in the top of the sixth. Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, ON) drilled a single to right field to get things started, Thomas singled to centre and Shannon Davidson's sacrifice bunt was dropped at first base allowing Wideman to score with Davidson and Thomas moving up to second and third. Pinch hitter Taylor Beck (Vancouver, BC) drew a walk to load the bases and Franklin was reentered to replace her on the bases. Jennifer Gilbert then fouled off three full count pitches and finally hit a monster homerun that landed over the center field fence for a grand slam. Hayward beat out a drag bunt, Erika Polidori singled to left field, Tessa Loewen was thrown out trying to beat out a drag bunt and the tenth hitter of the inning Wideman flew out to centre field to end the inning.

Hovinga sent New Zealand down in order in the sixth with two strikeouts and a ground out. Thomas got her third hit of the day in the seventh on a soft liner to right field but was stranded at first. Hovinga got the first out in the bottom of the seventh but gave up New Zealand's third hit - a ball that went over Polidori's head in left field. Polidori overthrew the relay person but Noble went to the ball in time to relay her throw to Thomas at third, who made the tag for the second out. Hovinga ended the game with her seventh strikeout.

Thomas led the 10-hit Canadian attack with three hits including a homerun. Gilbert was two-for-four with a grand slam and four runs batted in. Hayward added two hits with singles going to Polidori, Wideman and Franklin.

For all tournament information, please visit the host website at http://jwwc2011.co.za or the Softball Canada website at http://www.softball.ca.

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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