Trail’s Bay fails to push Canada past Americans

SOFTBALL GUATEMALA CITY — Ace lefthander Lauren Bay of Trail held the powerful U.S. to only two runs on four hits, but her teammates’ bats were silent as the Canadian women’s softball team dropped a 2-0 decision to the Americans in the gold medal game Saturday at the Pan American championships.

Despite the loss, Canada still qualified for the 2006 world championships in Bejing.

“We had two goals coming into this tournament,” said Canadian head coach Lori Sippel. “ First was to qualify for the world championships and second was to so by winning this tournament.

“The players’ response to losing the final was one I will take with me into the new year. They knew they had a good tournament [and] are already making plans to be a better team next time they find themselves in a championship game.”

Canada had gone 6-0 through the round-robin while outscoring the opposition 40-0. Ex-SFU star Ashley Lanz threw two no- hitters during the round-robin.

In the double-knockout playoff round, Canada beat Venezuela 60, lost to the U. S. 9-2 and then beat Venezuela again 10- 0 to advance to the final.

Bay did not pitch until going 3

innings in the semifinal against Venezuela.

In the final, she got into trouble in the the top of the third inning, putting two runners on. Jenny Topping then scored from third base on a ground out and Natasha Whatley later scored on a wild pitch. Bay finished with 10 strikeouts.

U. S. starter Jamie Southern held Canada to one hit, while striking out five. Sun news services