Baseball Canada’s national women’s team suffered its first loss, today, 7-1 against the host squad from Chinese Taipei, missing an opportunity to secure a podium finish at the 2006 Women’s World Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.
Catcher Amanda Asay (Prince George, B.C.) collected the only Canadian hit in the seven-inning affair while several fielding errors keyed the victory for Taiwan who improved its record to 2-2 to stay alive in the tournament.
“After the game against Japan where the intensity level was at a maximum, I think the girls were emotionally drained and tired,” said Canadian head coach André Lachance. “Our bats are going to have to come alive tomorrow if we want a chance to win the gold.”
Canada’s record, meanwhile, drops to 3-1 and moves the team down one spot in the standings behind Japan (4-1) with two games remaining in the tournament.
Kat Hannah (Kirkland Lake, Ont.) took the loss for Canada on the mound. Samantha Ostrom (Calgary, Alta.), Annie Kowalczyk (Mississauga, Ont.) and Marie-Josée Tremblay (Saint Honoré-de-Chicoutimi, Qué.) all pitched in relief for Canada, Tremblay closing out the game with two perfect innings of work.
With the loss, Canada’s bid for gold becomes a more difficult task as five teams are still in the medal hunt with only two days remaining in the tournament.
A win against Australia (3-2) tomorrow would put Canada back in the driver’s seat going in to the last day of competition where it is slated to face the entry from Hong Kong, which has been outscored 98-4 in its first four games of the tournament.
Martine Nadeau (Québec, Qué.) will get the start on the mound for the Canadians.
Current Standings
1) Japan 4-1
2) Canada 3-1
3) U.S.A. 3-1
4) Australia 3-2
5) Chinese Taipei 2-2
6) Cuba 0-4
7) Hong Kong 0-4
Tomorrow
Hong Kong vs. Cuba
Chinese Taipei vs. U.S.A.
Australia vs. Canada
*Box score for this game is unavailable.
