July 7, 2016
Canada Drops Men’s Slo-Pitch
Softball Canada – (Oklahoma City, OK) The Canadian Men’s Slo-Pitch Team dropped a 27-8 decision to the United States at the eighth edition of the Men’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle last night. Team USA blew the game open with 14 runs in the second inning on route to the five-inning win, taking their sixth consecutive Border Battle.
Team Canada were on the sticks first and jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first on a solo homerun by Justin Pennell (Toronto, ON), followed by a double by Steele Lewis (Windsor, ON), a walk and a three-run blast to center by Todd Newton (Niagara Falls, ON). The United States responded with five runs in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single, a two-run double and a two-run homerun. Ted Baker (Southport, NL) hit a leadoff single for Canada in the top of the second, but after a fly out, he was erased on an inning-ending double play.
Team USA used that momentum to score 14 runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by an RBI double, a solo, two-run and three-run homerun, a bases loaded walk, a grand slam and a pair of run-scoring singles. Down 19-4, Canada looked to get back in the game and added three runs on a two-run blast by Pennell followed by a triple by Lewis and a run-scoring single to left by Colin Andrews (Hanover, ON). However, the Canadian rally was stopped short with another inning-ending double play.
In the bottom half of the third, USA padded its lead with another seven runs to take a 26-7 lead. The teams exchanged solo homeruns in the fourth, with Canada’s coming off the bat of Ted Baker. Down to their last opportunity to extend the game, Team Canada got a leadoff single by Geoff Holmes (Calgary, AB) in the top of the fifth but the United States turned their third double play and the next batter flew out to right to end the game on the run rule.
Box Score: United States 27 vs. Canada 8
Pennell led the way offensively for Canada with a pair of homeruns and three runs batted in, while Lewis had a double and a triple and two runs scored. Baker had a solo homerun and added a single with Newton adding a three-run blast. Holmes, Colin Andrews and Wayne Parent (Belle River, ON) each chipped in with a single. Holmes started the game in the pitcher’s circle and gave up 16 runs on 12 hits in an inning and a third before Pennell came on in relief, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits.
Team Canada were on the sticks first and jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first on a solo homerun by Justin Pennell (Toronto, ON), followed by a double by Steele Lewis (Windsor, ON), a walk and a three-run blast to center by Todd Newton (Niagara Falls, ON). The United States responded with five runs in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single, a two-run double and a two-run homerun. Ted Baker (Southport, NL) hit a leadoff single for Canada in the top of the second, but after a fly out, he was erased on an inning-ending double play.
Team USA used that momentum to score 14 runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by an RBI double, a solo, two-run and three-run homerun, a bases loaded walk, a grand slam and a pair of run-scoring singles. Down 19-4, Canada looked to get back in the game and added three runs on a two-run blast by Pennell followed by a triple by Lewis and a run-scoring single to left by Colin Andrews (Hanover, ON). However, the Canadian rally was stopped short with another inning-ending double play.
In the bottom half of the third, USA padded its lead with another seven runs to take a 26-7 lead. The teams exchanged solo homeruns in the fourth, with Canada’s coming off the bat of Ted Baker. Down to their last opportunity to extend the game, Team Canada got a leadoff single by Geoff Holmes (Calgary, AB) in the top of the fifth but the United States turned their third double play and the next batter flew out to right to end the game on the run rule.
Box Score: United States 27 vs. Canada 8
Pennell led the way offensively for Canada with a pair of homeruns and three runs batted in, while Lewis had a double and a triple and two runs scored. Baker had a solo homerun and added a single with Newton adding a three-run blast. Holmes, Colin Andrews and Wayne Parent (Belle River, ON) each chipped in with a single. Holmes started the game in the pitcher’s circle and gave up 16 runs on 12 hits in an inning and a third before Pennell came on in relief, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits.
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Gilles LeBlanc
Manager – Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
gleblanc@softball.ca