Australia, Japan, Canada advance to final day of play

02/07/2005

Australia will get the chance to win their third straight International Softball Federation (ISF) Jr. Men’s World Championship (19-and-under) tomorrow as they, along with Japan and Canada, advanced to the final day of play after today’s action in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (Canada).

Australia will get the chance to win their third straight International Softball Federation (ISF) Jr. Men’s World Championship (19-and-under) tomorrow as they, along with Japan and Canada, advanced to the final day of play after today’s action in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (Canada).

The day began with what would become a nailbiter, as Canada edged New Zealand, 5-4.

The Junior Black Sox showed a lot of spirit in the game, coming from three runs down to even the score in the fifth inning and then take a one-run lead in the sixth. The home team struck back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning and then denied the Junior Black Sox in their final at-bat to take out the game.

In such a crucial encounter, the host team took the early advantage scoring two runs in the second inning and one more in the fourth. The Kiwis struck back in the fifth inning with Bernard Hale scoring on a hit by Isaac Fletcher, followed by Penese Iosefo and Fletcher both scoring on an error to level up the game.

In the top of the sixth inning the Junior Black Sox took the lead for the first time in the game when Iosefo scored again, this time on a hit by Fletcher. Holding a one-run lead going into the bottom of the inning, the Kiwis needed to stay tight in the field but the Canadians applied immense pressure, picking up two runs off three walks and two hits to put the home team in front.

The Kiwis tried hard in the top of the seventh inning but they couldn’t find any gaps in the field with all three New Zealand batters being taken out at first for Canada to win the game.

On the mound for New Zealand, Vaero Hagai started the game and recorded three strikeouts while giving up four hits. Iosefo came into the game as a relief pitcher in the fourth inning and he also notched three strikeouts while giving up three hits and three walks.

Today’s loss means the end of the tournament for the Junior Black Sox who finish in fourth place.

In the nightcap, Australia won their ninth straight game, 6-1 over Japan. The win sends Australia directly to tomorrow’s gold medal game against the winner of the Japan vs. Canada game, which will result in a bronze medal for the losing team.

After a scoreless first inning, Shaun Mason drew a walk to lead off the second inning, advancing to second on a wild throw from the catcher. Michael Munro came on to run for Mason, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Torpey, and came home on a safe hit to left field by Ryan Van Coevorden for the first run of the game.

Jon Hudson led off the bottom of the third inning for the Australians with a two-bagger to left field, and advanced to third on a good bunt by Adam Raptis, following which Travis Southam drew a walk, forcing a change of pitcher for the Japanese. The first pitch was wild, allowing Hudson to steal home for the second run.

The lead-off batter for Japan in the fourth drilled one straight back at Folkard that left him temporarily grounded after he collected the ball on the kneecap. He advanced to third on two passed balls before Folkard struck out the next batter and the runner then stole home on another passed ball to score Japan’s only run for the game.

In the bottom of the fifth, Australia replied with Ashton Edwards coming in to pinch hit, which he did successfully with a single to center field. Jamie Sheehan was re-entered to run and advanced to second on a bunt by Jon Hudson. Raptis reached first on a second base error, advancing Sheehan, while a second safe hit to Southam brought Sheehan home.

A double to right field by DP Shaun Mason allowed Raptis to score and another hit, this time to center field by Josh Jones, who replaced Torpey in the top of the inning, brought in Southam.

The top of the sixth saw the two lead-off Japanese batters get on with consecutive safe hits but, following a visit to the mound by the coach, Folkard finished off the half-inning with two strikeouts.

The Aussies scored again in their half of the sixth, after another change of pitcher did not stop the hitting. Sheehan drew a walk, then Hudson and Clough both hit safe to left field to bring Sheehan home. The Japanese were unable to add to their score in the seventh, despite loading the bases on a walk, a hit batter, and a safe hit to left field. Two strikeouts in the middle put too much pressure on the final batter, who finished the game with another strikeout.

Folkard was very impressive, pitching seven innings, allowing four hits, striking out 14 and giving up one earned run, to pick up his sixth win of the tournament.