Diving catches and underarm action are underway on Friday, July 6, 2012 at Softball City, but here is a recap of what you might have missed on Tuesday at the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship.
Recap and Results:
- The White Rock Renegades and St. Louis Extreme Elite had (perhaps) the best game of the day in a tight, rocket-fueled match across the pitch from Team Canada's game against Japan. The two teams traded shots all night, with St. Louis going up 7-2 after a six-run third inning. But, White Rock clawed back, scoring nine runs over the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, as St. Louis staged a rally of their own to bring it within one heading into the seventh and final inning. It was too late, however, and White Rock held on for an 11-10 win.
- Courtney O'Connor led White Rock with four RBIs, while Sara Hopwood had three and Kyla Myre had two. Catcher Courtney Gill also had a home run. For St. Louis, Lauren Marlinghaus had four RBIs of her own, Jacqueline Flood, Megan McNamee, Alexi Cavans chipped in with two. Alex Becker also had two doubles for St. Louis.
- Team Canada went up early on Team Japan and looked to be well on their way to a win in front of a packed Softball City. Looked to be. Japan scored a run in the first inning, but Team Canada rallied back with a run of their own in the bottom of the second to tie it up. Canadian Joey Lye scored an another run in the bottom of the third to take the lead. Canada held on until the top of the seventh inning, when Japan scored two runs and Canada was unable to answer. Canadian designated hitter Sheena Lawrick went 3-for-3 at the plate, and Japanese pitcher Miho Kurita picked up her first win of the tournament.
- Team USA flexed their muscle over one of its unincorporated territories, Team Puerto Rico, with three runs in the first inning en route to a sound 7-0 win. USA's Valerie Arioto led the way with a grand slam in the second inning, and finished the day going 2-for-2 at the plate with a healthy six RBIs. American pitcher Chelsea Thomas had eight strikeouts and allowed just tow hits over five innings.
What's on Tap?
- Team Canada pulls double duty on Friday, playing Venezuela at 1 p.m. at Softball City, and facing off against Team Australia in the prime time game at 6:30 p.m., on Championship Diamond 1. In the 2011 Canadian Open Fastpitch Championship, Australia beat Canada in the Bronze medal game to take third place and push the hometown team off the podium.
- Team USA will welcome Team New Zealand to their wheelhouse at 3:30 p.m. today. New Zealand has yet to win a game, while the Americans are one of the top teams in the tournament, a fact they established with their 7-0 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday night.
- Defending champion Team Japan faces Puerto Rico at 1 p.m. today.
- Meanwhile, Puerto Rico and New Zealand are already underway in their 10:30 a.m. game, from Championship Diamond 1 at Softball City. This is the first time in the Women's International tournament for both the Kiwis and Puerto Rico.