By Frank Juzenas
Brampton, Ontario, Canada: July 2 – The schedule did not do any favours for the Great Britain Junior (Under-19) Women's Fastpitch Team team playing in its first ISF Junior World Championships.
It was a baptism by fire at Monday's opening day of the 10th edition of the International Softball Federation tournament in Brampton, Ontario, Canada as Great Britain took a pair of shutout losses. Not only did GB have to open against the defending champion United States but it then had to face the host Canadians.
The Canadian players were fired up, not only by playing at home but also with the support of an enthusiastic crowd, many wearing red and white to celebrate Canada's 146th birthday on the annual Canada Day holiday.
But while a difficult start – a 10-0 four-inning mercy-rule loss to the Americans in the morning – could have been demoralizing to some teams, a 5-0 loss to Canada in the afternoon that followed was anything but. The Great Britain team remains upbeat and feels good about its chances going forward.
Solid defense
In the game with the Canadians there was some solid defensive play from GB and strong pitching in relief from Emma Bridge, who allowed just two runs, one earned, and three hits over the final four innings.
Emma said the team knows it has played two very tough teams and the players are getting rid of their nerves.
Head Coach Rachel Watkeys said that a 5-0 loss to Canada, going the full seven innings, was not a bad result. She said if the team plays the way it did in that game the rest of the tournament, it should be very competitive – but she has cautioned the team not to relax.
"We told them they have to keep their intensity," Rachael said.
In the second inning, Great Britain showed some sparkling play in the infield after Canada loaded the bases with no one out but was only able to score one run as runners were twice thrown out at the plate.
In the sixth inning, Keeli Waugh in centre field completed a double play by catching a fly ball and then throwing a strike to catcher Nicole Ratel to throw out a Canadian runner at the plate.
Great Britain managed four hits off Canadian pitcher Sara Groenewegen: singles by Tahli Moore, Lauren Evans, Chloe Wigington and Emma Bridge. However, Groenewegen also struck out 12.
In the third inning GB had its best chance to score, loading the bases, but Groenewegen ended the threat with a strikeout.
Keeli Waugh was the starting and losing pitcher for GB, allowing four runs, three earned, and four hits in two innings.
Opening nerves
To start the competition, Great Britain lost to the defending champion the United States 10-0. That game was called after four innings on the mercy rule after the United States scored six runs in the third inning.
"I'm glad we had this game first," said Rachael Watkeys. "We played one of the best teams in the world, we got rid of our nerves and now we can just play."
US pitcher Cheridan Hawkins proved to be unhittable for Great Britain as she struck out nine consecutive batters over her three innings of work.
When Paige McDuffe came on to pitch the fourth for the United States, GB hitters fared better and got a couple of solid hits. Amy Wells drilled a shot into right field which looked like it might be the first hit, but was thrown out first by right fielder Andrea Hawkins, who had been playing very shallow.
However, first base player Lauren Evans followed with GB's only hit, a line drive double to the fence in left centre field.
Rachael Watkeys was happy to see the progress being made by the hitters. "It was the second time up and they made adjustments," said Rachael. "That's what you want to see.”
Emma Bridge pitched the entire game for GB, allowing nine hits, though only five of the 10 runs scored were earned as GB had some opening-game nerves in the field.
There was a scary moment in the third inning when left fielder Hannah Cook and centre fielder Keeli Waugh collided going for a fly ball. Hannah had to leave the game and Rachael Watkeys said she was "dazed and confused". Hannah did start the second game but left after the second inning, and the team will keep on eye on her condition.
Forfeit win
Great Britain does stand at 1-2 in the standings, however, because of a forfeit victory over a Venezuelan team that pulled out of the tournament just days before they were scheduled to arrive, citing visa problems. All of Venezuela's games will be considered forfeits, so all teams in Pool A will play six games instead of seven. GB had been scheduled to face Venezuela on Wednesday evening so will now just have an afternoon game against Korea on that day.
Today (Tuesday), GB is scheduled to face New Zealand and Puerto Rico, with both games on the tournament's secondary venue at South Fletcher's. Monday's games were both on Diamond 1 at the tournament's main location, the Brampton Fairgrounds.
Other action
In other action in Pool A, New Zealand is 2-0 (including their forfeit against Venezuela) following a thrilling 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico in eight innings.
That was Puerto Rico's second game of the day, after it opened with an 8-0 morning victory over the Czech Republic. The Czechs, who lost 5-0 to Korea in the afternoon, are the only other team in Pool A with two losses.
Monday was the only day where there were no evening games scheduled due to the tournament's Opening Ceremonies at another Brampton park, which was also hosting the city's Canada Day party. The festivities included a concert and fireworks.
Day 1 results
Pool A
Puerto Rico 8, Czech Republic 0
USA 10, GB 0
New Zealand 2 Puerto Rico 1
Canada 7, Venezuela 0 (Forfeit)
Korea 5, Czech Republic 0
Canada 5, GB 0
Pool B
Mexico 11, Netherlands 4
Australia 5, China 1
Brasil 11, Botswana 1
Mexico 15, Singapore 0
Japan 1, China 0
Australia 7, Netherlands 0