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Olympic Softball Recaps: 27 July (Day 8)

Preliminary Round, Pool Play -- Evening Session

JPN vs. TPE

Three Japanese Homers Lead to 5-1 Victory Over Chinese Taipei in Softball

Japan used a 10-hit barrage that included three home runs, a double and a triple to defeat Chinese Taipei, 5-1 in Olympic softball competition late Saturday night.

After the start was delayed one hour, Chinese Taipei jumped out to a second-inning lead on a home run by WANG Ya-Fen. The Chinese Taipei slugger hit the blast off starter Masako WATANABE.

Japan regrouped and scored five unanswered runs. The Japanese offense was led by Chika KODAMA. The thirdbaseman collected four hits, including a triple and a home run. Noriko YAMAJI also provided a spark for Japan, collecting a double and a solo home run. Ikuko FUKITA added a solo shot.

Three Japanese hurlers combined to hold Chinese Taipei to just one run on six hits. WATANABE pitched the first 2.1 innings, surrendering only the home run to WANG. Kyoko KOBAYASHI followed with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the victory. Japan's pitching ace Juri TAKAYAMA closed the game, pitching the final two innings without allowing a Chinese Taipei hit.

HAN Hsin Lin started for Chinese Taipei and lasted 4.2 innings, giving up three runs on eight hits. CHIU Chen Ting entered the game in the fifth inning. CHIU allowed two Japanese runners to cross the plate in her two innings of work. TU Hui-Ping pitched the final frame for Chinese Taipei.

The win moved Japan to a 5-2 mark and tied them for third-place after the round robin pool play. The tie-breaker, determined by amount of runs allowed, favored Australia. As a result Japan is the fourth seed in the semi-final round of softball competition. The loss dropped Chinese Taipei to a 2-5 record and a sixth-place finish in the first Olympic softball competition .

Softball action will return to Golden Park at 16:00 on Monday, with Japan matching up with Australia. The loser of that game will be eliminated. On Tuesday, the winner will play against the loser of the United States/China game played at 19:00 on Monday.

Final Score: JPN 5 - TPE 1


Softball Preliminary Round/Pool Play

CHN vs. USA

CORNELL's Two-Run Blast Powers United States Past China in Softball

Sheila CORNELL blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift the United States to a 3-2 victory over China in softball.

In a game to decide the No.1 seeding in the semifinal round, CORNELL was the hero as she hit the home run off China's ace pitcher WANG Lihong. WANG came in to relieve against CORNELL and leads the competition in strikeouts and owns a 0.93 earned-run average. CORNELL's blast also scored Kim MAHER, who reached on a walk, to make the score 3-2.

The Americans scored first against starting pitcher MA Ying in the second inning. MAHER opened the inning with a single to centerfield. CORNELL advanced her to second with another base hit. After MAHER was moved over on a bunt single by Dionna HARRIS, she scored on a sacrifice fly by Gillian BOXX.

USA starter Michele SMITH kept the Chinese scoreless until the sixth inning. She struck out nine in the first five innings, allowing only one hit. China jumped on her for two runs in the sixth inning. LEI Li led off with a single and later scored on a home run to put China ahead, 2-1.

SMITH picked up her second win of the competition, surrendering two runs on five hits while striking out 12. After regaining the lead in the bottom of the sixth, the USA starter closed the door on China.

WANG Lihong took the loss for China to drop her record to 3-2. The win moved the United States to 6-1, to clinch the first seed in the semifinal round of the Olympic softball tournament. China's loss drops them to 5-2. China's seeding will be determined based on the outcome of the tonight's game between Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Final Score: USA 3, CHN 2.

"I knew that it was out when I hit it," said CORNELL. "It was the most awesome feeling I have had in my whole life. I can't even tell you what I was thinking."


Preliminary Round - Pool Play - Morning Session

CAN vs. AUS

Home Runs Lead Australians into Semi-Final Round in Softball Action.

Two home runs helped lead Australia to a 5-2 victory over Canada to secure a berth in the semifinal round of the Olympic softball competition.

The matchup was a must-win contest, with both teams entering with 3-3 marksand the winner advancing to the semifinal round.

After hitting the dramatic home run to defeat the United States on Friday, Joanne BROWN blasted a two-run home run to open the important game against Canada. BROWN plated Kim COOPER who reached on a walk by Canadian starter Karen SNELLGROVE to make the score 2-0.

Canada tied the game, scoring two runs in the fourth inning. Pauline MAURICE led off the inning with a bunt single and advanced to second on an error by pitcher Melanie ROCHE. ROCHE compounded her problems by committing another error on the next hitter, Carmelina VAIRO. The miscue allowed MAURICE to score and VAIRO to reach second base. Kelly KELLAND later drove in VAIRO with a two-out single to even the score at 2-2.

Australia went ahead for good in the fifth inning, notching three runs. Peta EDEBONE reached first base with a single to left field. The rightfielder scored on a double by Tanya HARDING. Debbie SONNENBERG replaced SNELLROVE in the pitching circle and was greeted with a two-run home run by Kerry DIENELT to make the score 5-2.

ROCHE picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out nine. SNELLGROVE shouldered the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings of work.

The win improves Australia's mark to 5-2 and clinches a spot in the semifinal round on 29 July. The seeding will be determined after tonight's competition. Canada, Sports Illustrated's pick to win the gold medal, dropped to 3-4 and were eliminated from competition.

Final Score: AUS 5 - CAN 2

"After coming off a big win, we didn't want to come out flat," said BROWN. "We'll have to come out even stronger to have a chance to win a medal."


Preliminary Round - Pool Play - Morning Session

NED vs. PUR

Netherlands picks up First Win in Softball Action.

Anouk MELS shut out Puerto Rico, 2-0 to pick up the Netherlands' first victory in Olympic softball competition at Golden Park in Columbus.

MELS allowed only three hits while striking out five. The Netherlands pitcher improved her record to 1-4. The only threat Puerto Rico mounted was in the third inning.with runners on third and second before Sandra ROSARIO flew out to end the threat.

The Dutch hitters clinched the game, picking up two runs in the fourth inning. Madelon BEEK's infield single opened the inning. On a single by Penny LE NOBLE, BEEK advanced to third and then scored. LE NOBLE moved into scoring position on a throwing error by Puerto Rico catcher ROSARIO. Anita KOSSEN plated LE NOBLE with a bunt single to close the scoring.

Ivelisse ECHEVARRIA took the loss, surrendering two runs on eight hits in seven innings. The veteran pitcher ended the competition with a 1-3 mark and a 3.77 ERA in five outings.

The win marked the Netherlands first victory. Puerto Rico drops to 1-6, to tie the Netherlands for seventh-place in the Olympic softball competition and eliminate them for semifinal action.

Final Score: NED 2 - PUR 0

"This was the best way to end the tournament with victory," said the Netherlands coach Ruud ELFERS. "We don't think we are losers because we have gained so much during the last few years."

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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