Canadians Down Japan, 1-0

Athens - The Canadian Olympic Softball team vastly improved its chances of advancing past the preliminary round of Olympic play with a 1-0 eight-inning victory over Japan early Tuesday morning in Athens.

Lauren Bay improved to 2-1 with a three-hit shutout. The Canadians managed only one hit in the game, but were able to take advantage of the international tie breaker, which places a runner at second base after the seventh inning. Jackie Lance was placed at second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the winning run on an error by Japanese first baseman Kazue Ito.

After starting yesterday's game against China, Husker Sheena Lawrick did not play against Japan. With a record of 2-2, the Canadian team faces another key game tomorrow against an undefeated United States team at 9 a.m. at Olympic Softball Stadium.