Canada's Masters Defeat Israel 8-1

Game 4 for the Canadian Masters Men Softball team featured a match up between the Canadian Team and Team Israel at 5:00 pm at Kibbutz Gezer.

The game featured a one-two pitching punch for Canada of power righties Murray Margolis and Mark Bendahan, facing off against their Israeli counterparts.

Canada came out yet again with 3 first inning runs to take the lead, and then scored single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings, and capped it off with 3 more runs in the 5th as they won 8-1 in a shortened game victory.

Murray Margolis started the game and pitched a beautiful 3 inning no-hitter, striking out 4 hitters and walking one in an outstanding start as he mixed his rise ball with curves to keep the hitters at bay all afternoon. Murray was overpowering as he hit the hard targets put up by catcher Colin Halpern en route to a great start, giving up only one unearned run.

Mark Bendahan came in to pitch 2 more spotless innings, giving up only one hit, and striking out 3 as he hit every spot in the pitching box. Mark continues to be at the top of his game, zoned in for outs in every outing.

The Canadian Masters hitting lineup was led with balanced contributions from throughout the lineup including:

- Big slugger John Marshall who clubbed 2 long home runs, one a two run shot and the other a solo blast , driving in 3 runs to lead the team for the day. John chipped in a few outstanding plays at first base to cap a fantastic day;

- DH Jeff Michaels who continued to square up on the ball as he blasted another 2 run home run with family and friends present to watch the game cheered him on, including a dear friend from Poland who made the trip in to watch the game.

- Shortstop Stephen Goldsmith who chipped in with a 1st inning rbi to plate the first run of the game;

- Centerfielder Robbie Cooper who opened the game with a lead off triple and later scored the first run on Goldsmith’s single. Cooper also chipped in with a walk, stolen base and second run;

- Mark Bendahan who launched a deep double to left center field and scored a run;

- Third baseman David Katz who drove in a run with a solid line drive single to the outfield and made a nice play at 3b;

- Second baseman Steve Bleiwas who opened the game with an outstanding diving catch to record the first out and later hit a triple and scored a run to widen the lead;

- Catcher Colin Halpern who hit a ball out to right field to plate the ultimate game ending run.

The Canadian Masters move to Game 5 at Kibbutz Maor on Wednesday July 12, at 9:00 am against Team Israel.