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From Als Fastball:

Venezuela defeats Canada in extra innings to win gold

BY PAT HEALEY

HERMOSILLO, MEXICO – Jeff Ellsworth of Alberton has added another chapter to the PEI softball hisotry book.

After a heartbreaking 3-2 extra innings loss to Venezuela Sunday night in the championship final of the Pan American softball championship, the rec director became the first Island softball player to bring back an International softball silver medal.

“It was an experience of a life time,” Ellsworth said following the game. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into the event but got to play in all 12 games of the tournament.”

“Really proud of what we done, being my first international event a silver medal is great in my books.”

The Canucks led 2-0 until Venezuela tied it up in bottom of the seventh a two run home runand won in the eighth.

Derek Mayson of North Vancouver, B.C. had a huge home run for the Canadian side.

Frank Cox of Owen Sound, Ont. suffered the loss.

In the semi final, the Canadians beat Argentina 5-1, led by strong pitching from Nick Underhill of Campbell River, B.C. going six with Cox relieving in the seventh.

Canada led from start to finish in the game.

Ellsworth went 1-for-1 with a run scored in the win over Argentina.

“Thank you to everyone who kept sending emails cheering us on, it was greatly appreciated,” he said. “It’s a trip of a lifetime coming to an event like this one no doubt about it but like I always say “there is no place like home and I can’t wait to get back to the Island.”

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From Als Fastball:

CANADA ADVANCES; TOPS GUATEMALA 10-0
Canada secures playoff spot

(HERMOSILLO – Mexico) – Team Canada earned a berth into the playoffs at the Pan American Championships in Hermosillo, Mexico with a 10-0 victory over Guatemala.

Canada struck for three quick runs in the top of the 1st inning to take the early lead. Scott Newitt (Delta, BC) started things off with a leadoff walk followed by a Jeff Ellsworth (Alberton, PEI) bunt single. After Guatemalan starter Cesar Sajche retired the next two batters, Canadian 1st baseman Tim Macumber (Newport, NS) launched a 1-0 pitch from Sajche well beyond the center field fence for the 3 run lead.

“It’s always good to get an early lead” admitted Macumber. “Smith was able to control the game for us from the first pitch and jumping out with a 3 run home run in the first inning was a good momentum builder.”

Canada increased the lead to 8-0 with a 5 run second inning. Right fielder Steve Mullaley (Freshwater, NL) led off with a single, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch and finally scored on a single by Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON). Fehrman’s single was followed by consecutive singles from Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB), Scott Newitt (Delta, BC) and Ellsworth bringing home Fehrman & Giesbrecht. The scoring finished on RBI ground outs by Rob Gray (Toronto, ON) and Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) allowing Newitt & Ellsworth to score.

Canada capped their scoring in the third inning starting with Mullaley again when he lined a one out single to right field. Fehrman drew a walk from reliever Jorge Segura. Giesbrecht then doubled down the right field line to score Mullaley and Fehrman.

The shut out was the third straight shutout for the Canadians. In fact Canadian hurler Rick Smith (Duncan, BC) was one strike away from the third consecutive no hitter as he threw for one hit short of a perfect game. Guatemalan DP Vinicio Rivas broke the no hitter when he looped a single to center field just inches out of the reach of a diving Ellsworth. Smith promptly struck out the next batter to finish the game with a 1 hit shutout, striking out 10 in the process.

Canada will play in the 3rd vs. 4th playoff game on Saturday, October 07 at 6:00 pm. The opponent and ranking is still to be determined pending the outcome of the USA-Puerto Rico and Cuba-Mexico games later this evening.

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