Canada Cup - Day 4
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
(Surrey, BC) – The Canadian Women’s Softball Team bounced back from a loss to the United States on Monday night by defeating Venezuela 4-1 and the Netherlands 10-3 on Tuesday at Softball City. Venezuela had shut out Canada 1-0 in the tournament opener for the two teams, but Canada took advantage of a solid performance by Danielle Lawrie (Langley, BC) in the pitcher’s circle to defeat them in the rematch between the two clubs. In the second game of the day, Victoria Hayward (Mountain View, California) and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) each drove in three runs to lead Canada over the Netherlands
In the afternoon game against Venezuela, Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) set the tone for the game in Canada’s first at-bat once again, as she led off the bottom of the first inning with a homerun. Victoria Hayward followed with a single, moved around the bases to third, and scored on an RBI ground out by Jennifer Yee (North Delta, BC) to give Canada a 2-0 lead.
Venezuela cut into the lead with a run in the top of the third, but Canada went right back to work to get the insurance marker in the bottom of the inning when Caitlin Lever (Buffalo, New York) reached on an error and later scored on a single by Hayward. Canada added its fourth run the following inning when Kelsey Haberl (Burnaby, BC) delivered an RBI single of her own.
Danielle Lawrie turned in a masterful pitching performance, striking out 15 hitters in seven innings of work. She allowed one run on four hits, and walked four batters.
At the plate, Victoria Hayward and Jennifer Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC) each had two hits for Canada, while Melanie Matthews had (homerun), Caitlin Lever (triple) and Kelsey Haberl each contributed a hit.
Canada vs. Venezuela: Box Score and Play-by-Play
In the nightcap, Canada was able to take an early lead in the bottom of the first when Melanie Matthews came in to score on a single by Jennifer Salling. The Netherlands replied in a big way, scoring three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead, but the red and white was able to trim that lead to 3-2 in the third when Kaleigh Rafter smashed a double, scoring Hayward from third. Canada then took control of the game the following inning, exploding with four runs. The two-out rally started when Caitlin Lever singled, Melanie Matthews then drove her in with a triple, and Victoria Hayward pushed Matthews to the plate with a double. After a pair of walks, Kaleigh Rafter delivered a bases loaded single to bring another two runs, giving Canada a 6-3 lead.
The red and white added two more runs in the fifth, as rookie Jessica Tieszen (Surrey, BC) singled with one out and later scored on a single by Hayward, while Caitlin Lever also scored on an error on the very same hit. Canada completed the scoring by adding two more runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Evelyne Pare (Ile-Perrot, QC) reached on a single, and Megan Timpf (Port Dover, ON) followed up with one of her own, and Pare came all the way to score on a fielding error on the play. Jessica Tieszen then pushed Timpf in to score to end the game on the run-rule, as Canada defeated the Netherlands 10-3.
Marisa Litster (North Saanich, BC) was the starting pitcher and allowed three runs on three hits to go along with two strikeouts in three innings of work. Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) earned the win in relief, allowing only two hits with five strikeouts in the final three innings.
Victoria Hayward had a big game at the plate, going three-for-four with a double, three runs batted in and a stolen base. Kaleigh Rafter added a double and a single for three RBI’s, while Melanie Matthews, Jennifer Salling and Jessica Tieszen each produced a run.
Canada vs. Netherlands: Box Score and Play-by-play
With the two wins, Canada improved its record to 4-2 at the Canada Cup, stabilizing them in second place through six games. Tonight, Canada (4-2) will face Australia (1-4) at 6:30pm PDT.
In other action on Day 4 of the Canada Cup, Australia shut out the Netherlands 9-0, and was then blanked by USA by a score of 7-0.
Canada Cup Standings after Day 4 – International Division
| Team |
GP |
W |
L |
RA |
RF |
P |
| USA |
5 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
39 |
10 |
|
Canada |
6 |
4 |
2 |
18 |
27 |
8 |
| Venezuela |
5 |
2 |
3 |
18 |
8 |
4 |
| Netherlands |
5 |
1 |
4 |
23 |
14 |
2 |
| Australia |
5 |
1 |
4 |
35 |
7 |
2 |
-SC-
For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager – Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 x3105
gleblanc@softball.ca
www.softball.ca / www.BackSoftball.com