It's not often a team gets just two base hits and still has a chance to knock off one of the top women's fastpitch teams in the world.

But that was nearly the case Sunday night at Softball City, as Canada came within one dropped ball of defeating the vaunted U.S. national team in the finals of the Canada Cup.

And though Canadian catcher Erin Cumpstone couldn't keep a grasp on the ball in what was a game-ending play at the plate – the run gave the States a 3-2 win – it was hardly the team's only gaffe in the field.

"We were authors of our own misfortune," said Team Canada head coach Mark Smith.

Canada was outhit 10-2 in the contest, and made five errors – two of which came in the decisive seventh inning, by third baseman Megan Timpf and North Delta second baseman Jenn Yee.

With Canada nursing a 2-1 lead in the final frame – and Jenna Caira pitching in relief of starter Danielle Lawrie – Ashley Charters got on base thanks to Timpf's error.

After American shortstop Natasha Watley walked, Charters was thrown out at third, but the next batter, Alissa Haber, reached base on Yee's mistake. Compounding the situation for Canada, U.S. centre-fielder Caitlin Lowe also reached base after sending a chopper down the line to towards third.

American clean-up hitter Katie Cochran then stepped to the plate and tied the game with a sacrifice fly, and one batter later, the game was over after Jennie Finch smacked a fly ball into shallow left field.

With Lowe racing home all the way from second, shortstop Jenn Salling double-pumped her throw home to Cumpstone, who was unable to keep hold of the ball as she tagged a sliding Lowe.

"We gave them three unearned runs on six errors. You can't compete at this level, against this quality of competition, if you don't make routine plays," Smith continued.

"We booted the ball around the infield tonight with people who've been there and should understand what it takes.

"We had a ball in right field (earlier in the game) that dropped, and that should have been a caught ball, in my opinion."

While the fielding was suspect, Canada's bats struggled as well. Salling was 2-for-2 with a double, and was the only Canadian batter able to do anything against American starter Cat Osterman, who at one point struck out nine straight batters.

The veteran pitcher finished with 14 strikeouts, four of which came at the expense of Canadian leadoff hitter and Peninsula resident Melanie Matthews.

Former White Rock Renegade Lawrie struck out two in five-and-two-thirds before Caira – whose changeup stymied American batters earlier in the tournament – pitched the final frame.

Canada has not won the Canada Cup since a victory over the Phoenix Sunbirds in 1996. In 2006, they lost in the final to Australia.

Earlier in the week, the Americans squashed Canada 10-0, but Smith took little solace in moral victories.

"It smarts a bit when you take a team that good and you're three outs away (from winning)," he said.

"We're better than we played tonight and that's the disappointment."

Awards

Watley was named the tournament's top batter, while Osterman took home top pitcher honours.

In the women's North American division, the White Rock Renegades' Junior team defeated the Renegade seniors to take top spot. The top three North American teams were moved up to the international division for playoff rounds.