North Bay native singles in World Series game

North Bay native Stephanie Topolie singled in a run, but it wasn't enough as Baseball Canada's women's national team opened the IV Women's World Series in Uozu City, Japan, with a 10-6 loss to the host team.

Canada took a 1-0 lead on a double by Samantha Magalas (Burlington, Ont.), which moved Karine Gagné (Granby, Qué.) to third. Gagné then score of the single by Topolie, who now lives in Mississauga.

Japan the scored 10 unanswered runs, collecting three in the second inning, two in the third, another pair in the fourth and three more in the fifth frame.

The Canadian team showed its true spirit with two outs in the sixth. Topolie led off with a walk, Kate Psota (Burlington, Ont.) followed with a single, Melanie Harwood (Newmarket, Ont.) walked and Geneviève Beauchamp (St. Jérôme, Qué.) drove home Topolie with a single.

Canada had the bases loaded later in the game when Gagné scored off a single by Psota. Harwood followed with a bases-clearing double to score Magalas, Topolie and Psota.

Katherine Hannah (Kirkland Lake, Ont.) started on the mound and threw three innings including three strikeouts before being replaced by Ruth Lancashire (Etobicoke, Ont.), Kaley Gilham (Rocky Mt. House, Alta.) and Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, Ont.).

"I am happy with the team's performance and I am satisfied with today's outcome considering it is the first game," said André Lachance, the team's manager. "Things are looking promising for future games."

The Canadian team faces Hong Kong tomorrow for its second game of the tournament, which ends Wednesday. Kate Psota will start on the mound for Canada.