July 5, 2005

LAS VEGAS - In a matchup between two North American softball squads that featured three participants of the UNLV softball program went the way of Team USA's Elite Team in eight innings. The Elite Team defeated Team Canada 1-0 with help from a bunt by Rebel freshman Marissa Nichols.

With the game scoreless heading into the eighth inning and Canada putting a runner at second base with help from the international tiebreaker, Dana Sorensen closed out her four shut out innings of relief with help from a double play and a fly out.

In the bottom of the eighth and Nicole Giordano placed at second base, Heather Scaglione was intentionally walked. Marissa Nichols came to the plate and laid down a bunt to push Giordano and Scaglione into scoring position. Following Nichols' bunt, Gina Oaks knocked in the lone run of the game with a single to left field.

The Red and White of Team Canada features two Rebels, sophomore centerfielder Brittany Freight and head coach Lonni Alameda. Alameda is serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada, while Freight picked up her first start in the loss. Freight went 0-for-2 at the plate.

With the win the Elite Team improved to 4-0 with three games remaining. Team Canada dropped its first game with a 2-1 record with four games left.

For more information on the Canada Cup, you can check out the Cup's official website at www.canadacup.com. USA Softball has up-to-date releases and gametracker which you can follow off of its offical website at www.usasoftball.com.