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Day 5: Japan remains unbeaten
SENDAI (Japan) - The Dutch Olympic Softball Team had the day off on Sunday, which was the last day of the Tri-Nation Exhibition Series in Sendai. On the third day of the event, host Japan shutout Canada, 4-0, to remain unbeaten and win the mini-tournament. It also meant that all three games of the Tri-Nation tournament ended in a shutout-victory. What the weather is concerned, today was another very cloudy day, which started with rain. But unlike the day before, when it got warmer during the day, today remained cloudy and had sometimes drizzling rain. However, during the game, it was dry, but it started to drizzle again in the seventh inning.
For the players of the Dutch team there was a fitting session after breakfast.
Players and staff had to fit their Olympic game-uniforms and additional game-clothing, which are made by SSK in Japan.
At the conclusion of the session, Mr. Fumiyasu Takeuchi, the Chief of the Product Development Division, was on hand to put the final touches on the clothing.
After lunch, there was a brief walk and then later in the afternoon, the Dutch went to the Sendai Municipal Baseball Stadium to watch the final game between Japan and Canada.
Japan struck right away in the first inning on three consecutive singles. With one out, Rei Nishiyama singled, advanced on a single by Eri Yamada and scored on a single by Satoko Mabuchi.
The three other runs were then added in the third inning on two back-to-back-homeruns.
Ayumi Karino led off with a single, moved on a sac-bunt and a grounder, then scored when Satoko Mabuchi homered to centerfield, with centerfielder Caitlin Lever tumbling over the fence while chasing the ball.
Moments later, Rie Sato drove the ball into deep rightfield for another homerun and lifted the score to 4-0.
Japan added no more runs, despite getting runners on second and third base in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning.
In the fourth, with a runner on second base (hit by pitch, sac-bunt), Motoko Fujimoto placed a perfect bunt in front of home plate, but then two outs followed.
In the fifth, a grounder and a strikeout followed. In the sixth, there was a force play at home plate, then a line out back to pitcher Dione Meier, who had taken over in the fifth for starter Robin Mackin.
Canada had only four baserunners in the game.
Japanese starter Yukiko Ueno threw three perfect inning.
Ueno is without any doubt the most popular player on the team, as she got the biggest welcome applause from the more than 4000 spectators (as she also got the day before during intructions for the game against the Dutch).
Ueno got some breaks with the umpires. She got a few strike-calls in her favor from the home plate umpire, while Canadian batter Sheena Lawrick appeared to have beaten a throw on a grounder in the second inning, but was called out by the 1B umpire.
Anyhow, Ueno retired nine batters in a row, including one strikeout, then was lifted by a reliever in the fourth inning, who was greeted with a lead-off double by Melanie Matthews, who later stranded on third base, the lone Canadian player to go beyond first base.
In the fifth inning, Caitlin Lever reached on an infield-single with two outs, but was caught stealing.
In the seventh, a hit by pitch and a fielder's choice-grounder accounted for the other two runners.
After returning back in the hotel, the team had dinner and retired to their rooms.
On Monday, the players will be back on the field, as a practice session is scheduled.
The team will practice daily the entire week, before traveling to Beijing for the Olympic Games.
The outside of our hotel in Sendai
The big lobby of our Louis XIV-style hotel is filled with a lot of art and
sculptures from ancient Greek, Roman and French eras
Mr. Fumiyasu Takeuchi of SSK measures the clothing of Physical Therapist Rob Oskam
The players pose in the Sendai Municipal Baseball Stadium
Popular Japanese pitcher Yukiko Ueno bows to the spectators after being introduced
The umpire-crew for the Japan vs. Canada game looks on during introductions
Spectators stand during the playing of the Japanese (and Canadian) national anthem
A view from the stands
More than 4000 spectators came to look to their Japanese team
Behind home plate, the Japanese press worked during the game in the Press Room
Head Coach Liz Kelly and Coach Linda Wells make notes during the game
The Dutch Team looks on from the stands
Go back to the schedule of the Japan Tour
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