By JIM BENDER -- Winnipeg Sun
 In the face of adversity, the fierce determination of a local veteran will keep the fires burning in Sydney, say some who know her best.

 Manitoba's Sandy Newsham may even add a little zing to her pitches and dig in deeper at in the batter's box after a disappointing start to the national women's softball tournament at the Olympics.

 "She'll do her best to keep people focused on the task at hand," said Winnipeg's Juanita Clayton, who was with the Canadian squad at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

 Clayton watched Newsham pitch a 7-1 victory over Italy yesterday as Canada improved to 1-3 before its match against Japan early this morning.

 "I've been watching Sandy play and I just feel so proud of her," said Clayton, who caught for Newsham for a number of years with Smitty's. "She's just a tremendous athlete and ambassador for softball and for Canada. And she's really matured in her approach."

 But the poor start may spell the difference in Canada's fortunes on the diamond.

 "Obviously, I can empathize with their disappointment so far," Clayton added.

 Mathematically, Canada can qualify for the playoff round with three wins in the seven-game round robin, but the task gets tougher with each outing.

 Both Sandy and her younger sister, Heather, are key players on the mound and at the plate for the Nats.

 "They'll work hard and do their best," assessed Roy Holenski, Smitty's manager. "And I think they're giving it their all. We're hoping they can still reel off a few more victories.

 "But we need more than just pitching. We need to score runs. The pitching is there. Unfortunately, they haven't solved some of the pitchers."

 And both Newshams can wield more explosive bats.

 "At the nationals, Heather was hitting around .700, but she seems to be struggling for some reason," said Holenski, whose wife, Ev, is in Sydney as team leader of the Canuck outfit. "And Sandy's struggling, too. They just can't seem to hit those top-level international pitchers."

 Both Clayton and Holenski questioned the controversial call that was the difference in Canada's loss to Australia -- which could become the difference in the Nats' playoff hopes. The ump said the Canadian catcher was not allowed to block the plate on the Aussies' only run.

 "I think (Canada coach) Ron Clarke is still trying to find that one in the rule book," Holenski said. "I don't think it exists."