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Canada began its play-off run the wrong way on Friday night at the ISF Women's World Fastball Championships.

The Canadians dropped a tough 4-2 loss to the United States.

Star pitcher Danielle Lawrie, sister of Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie, was in the pitching circle squaring off against Keilani Ricketts of the U.S. Lawrie had a strong showing, collecting five strikeouts while going the distance, but still collected the loss after a potent U.S. offence pulled away in the fourth inning.

The Americans opened the scoring, bringing in two runs across the plate in the bottom of the third.

Canada responded in the top of the fourth. Calgary's Sheena Lawrick and Kaleigh Rafter of Guelph, Ont., opened the frame with back-to-back singles and Jennifer Salling of Port Coquitlam, B.C., brought Lawrick home on a single down the first-base line.

Canada would add one more run on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Timpf of Port Dover,

Ont.

The U.S. collected two more runs in the bottom half of the fourth and Canada was unable to tie the game. "We needed a break or a bounce here and there and we didn't get it,鈥� said head coach Mark Smith after the game. "The United States is a very strong team and I think we're a little better than we showed tonight.鈥�

"I thought we played a good ball game,鈥� said Rafter, Canada's veteran catcher.

"We fought back after they got two runs on us which isn't easy to do ... We just didn't come through with the timely hits today.鈥�

With the win, the U.S. remained undefeated in the tournament while Canada's record dropped to 6-2.

On Saturday afternoon, Canada bounced back, grinding out a 4-0 win over the Netherlands to stay alive.

Jenna Caira and Lawrie were back in the circle and held the Netherlands to only three hits over seven innings.

A few hours later, Canada was back on the field at the Pepsi Softball Complex, facing Australia in the semi-finals.

Despite beating the Aussies 2-0 earlier in the tournament, Canada couldn't come up with another win.

Australia prevailed 3-1 in seven innings, knocking Canada out of the tournament with a fourth-place finish.

Australia's leadoff hitter, Stacey Porter, took Lawrie deep to centre field on the first at-bat of the game.

The solo shot served as an omen as Porter would ensure the victory with another solo home run in the seventh inning.

Canada was able to bring one run across the plate in the fourth when Jennifer Yee of North Delta, B.C., drove in Toronto's Joey Lye, but it was all the offence the Canucks could muster after playing their second game of the day and their tenth in nine days.

Lawrie lasted only two innings, giving up six hits and two runs.

Caira entered the game in the third and kept Australia guessing with a series of fastballs,

change-ups and movement pitches.

Caira collected four strike-outs in five innings of relief, holding Australia to only three hits and one run.

"It hurts obviously,鈥� she said after the loss.

"It's not what you want to finish with but Australia played a really great game and so did we. We fought from the very first pitch the very end. Unfortunately, that's just how the game goes sometimes.鈥�

Smith said he was happy with the tournament despite finishing out of medal contention.

"Overall, I'm very proud of the way the team played," said Smith.

鈥滻t is extremely difficult to play in your own country with the inherit pressure that comes with that and not succumbing to it."

Smith was unhappy with the umpires on Saturday, claiming both teams suffered from an inconsistent strike zone.

"I thought the home plate umpire was horrible both ways,鈥� he said. "He was very inconsistent ... and that should not happen at a semifinal at a world championship.鈥�

The Aussies also had Canada's number at the Canadian Open earlier this month, blanking Canada 7-0 in the bronze medal match.

Smith noted the play of Porter, Australia's slugger.

"Their best player was their best player tonight,鈥� he said.

"She hit two home runs that were the difference in the ball game and I give her all the credit in the world.

"We came to win but we're extremely proud of the way the girls played.

They gave their best and left it all on the field. As a coach that's all you can ask.鈥�

Canada will retain much of the same core next year but for veteran Melanie Matthews, one of the best offensive players in the world, this tournament marked her last with the team.

"It's definitely a tough loss for those of moving on from the program but there's a lot of young talent that's only going to improve,鈥� she said.

"I'm going to take some time away from the game for awhile and then re-evaluate.

The sports given a lot to me so I'd like to eventually give back at the grassroots level.鈥�

Caira said the chemistry of the team was one of the driving aspects that had them in contention.

"The opportunity to play for the name that's across your chest was the spirit of this team,鈥� she said.

"We played together, we played for one another and we enjoyed ourselves.鈥�