Robin Mackin of Newmarket, Ont., held China to
just one hit Saturday but paid for it in Canada's 1-0 loss at the
women's world softball championship.
Zhang Ai's RBI single in the first inning scored Zhou Yi, who had
walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. That was all for
China (6-1) against Mackin while Lu Wei held Canada (5-2) scoreless
on four hits.
The closest the Canadians came to scoring was in the seventh,
when Angela Lichty of Guelph, Ont., hit a two-out double. But Alison
Bradley of Pinkerton, Ont., grounded out to end it.
``We came to win that ballgame but it didn't happen,'' said
Canadian coach Lori Sippel. ``We are disappointed but our focus
should go to (Sunday) now.
``We didn't hit. We haven't made the adjustments that we need to
make.''
The loss left Canada third in Pool A and set up an opening-round
playoff round matchup with Taiwan, fourth in Pool B at 4-3.
China finished second in Pool A behind the United States (7-0),
which beat South Africa 10-0 in five innings.
The Americans will face Australia in the playoffs while China
meets Japan.
Shanel Garofalo's third-inning triple powered Italy past Britain
3-0. The win gave Italy the last playoff spot in its round-robin
Pool A.
Taiwan beat Greece 8-6, Japan downed Colombia 7-0, and the
Netherlands upset Australia 4-2.
