Canada Edges China to Improve to 3-0

Under the guidance of head coach Lori Sippel, the Canadian softball team remained undefeated at the Beijing Olympics, as Team Canada won a hard-fought pitcher's duel over host China, 1-0. The win did not come easily, as the Canadians had to escape a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the seventh to remain unbeaten with a 3-0 record.

The 3-0 record is Canada's best-ever start to the Olympics. The three wins have already tied for Canada's most ever in Olympic play, as the Canadians finished 3-4 in 1996 and 2004 to mark their highest finishes.

Despite the dramatic victory, Friday's work was not complete for the Canadians, as they were scheduled for an approximate two-hour break before resuming a suspended contest with Team USA at approximately 1 a.m. (Central), or 30 minutes following the United States-Japan contest. Canada leads that game 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning.

The Nebraska connection played a big role in the victory over China, as Sippel, NU's Associate Head Coach, led Canada to its first-ever three-game Olympic winning streak. Former Husker Sheena Lawrick recorded the final out and added a walk as part of an 0-for-2 effort at the plate. Robin Mackin, a right-handed pitcher who will be a junior at Nebraska in 2008-09, did not pitch in the victory.

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In the top of the second inning, Lawrick coaxed a leadoff walk to reach base for the first time in <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Beijing. She would be stranded at second, however, as the Canadians stranded a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings.

 

Neither team would move a runner past second base until the top of the sixth when Jennifer Yee led off the inning with an inside-the-park home run that proved to be the game winner.

 

Team Canada missed a chance to add to its lead in the top of the seventh, stranding runners at second and third. The missed opportunity nearly cost them in the bottom of the frame. A leadoff double and a controversisal call that erased an out at third gave China runners at second and third with no outs. Sippel then elected to intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases.

 

Canada record an infield pop up for the first out before recording an out at home on a grounder back to the pitcher. Lawrick then preserved the victory with a nice running catch in foul territory, snatching the ball before it could find its way into the dugout.

 

The grab secured the two-hit shutout for Lauren Bay, a former Big 12 Player of the Year at Oklahoma State.

 

Fans can watch Canada's suspended game with the United States on the USA Network (scheduled for approximately 1 a.m. Central). The contest, which will resume with the United States batting in the top of the fourth inning trailing 1-0, can also be watched online by clicking here.