(Whitehorse, YK) The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team defeated Team USA 5-1 on Wednesday night, ending the six-game exhibition series played between the two teams in Surrey, BC and Whitehorse, YK. After winning the first two games in Surrey, Canada then lost the next three – including the first game in Whitehorse on Tuesday – before evening the series at three wins apiece with tonight’s win.

Feeding off the momentum from Tuesday night’s seventh inning comeback that just fell short, Canada got off to a great start with a hit and two walks in the top of the first inning, but was not able to score. The red and white was then able to put two more runners on in the second, but again could not bring anyone in.

However, Canada got on the board in the third inning, as Caitlin Lever (Buffalo, New York) started things off with a double to left-center field. Jenn Yee (North Delta, BC) then singled to advance Lever to third, and stole second base. Sheena Lawrick (Calgary, AB) then hit a soft line drive up the middle to bring both runners in to score, advancing to second on a throw to the plate and to third when the ball got by the American catcher. Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) later hit a fly ball to right field to drive in Lawrick, giving Canada a 3-0 lead.

Team Canada added another run in the top of the fifth, when Lever got on base once again to start the inning by reaching on a dropped third strike that was thrown away by the catcher. Lever then stole second base, and advanced to third on a single by Lawrick. Jen Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC) then hit a deep sacrifice fly to centerfield to push Lever across the plate for Canada’s fourth run.

The United States got on the board in their half of the fifth. Chelsea Bramlett reached on a walk and got to third after a double by Brittany Lastrapes. Bramlett then scored on a groundout to second base to reduce the lead to 4-1.

Canada added its fifth and final run in the top of the sixth inning, when Kaleigh Rafter drove a frozen rope line drive that went over the fence in center field.

Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) was fantastic in the pitcher’s circle for Canada, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out five batters in three innings. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, BC) was also very effective in closing out the game, allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts in four innings of relief.

Offensively, Sheena Lawrick paced Canada with three hits and two runs batted in. Caitlin Lever, Jenn Yee, Kaleigh Rafter, Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) and Jill Russell (London, ON) each added a hit.

Following a well-deserved few days off, Team Canada will be back in action on Thursday, July 22nd when they will take on the full US National Team at 8:00pm EDT in Oklahoma City. The game will be broadcasted on TSN at midnight EDT later that night.

Canada 5 vs. United States 1: Box score and Play-by-Play

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For more information, please contact:

Gilles LeBlanc
Manager – Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 797-7171
gleblanc@softball.ca