(22 July 1996; Day 3)
STRIIIIKEE-THREEE!
This often-heard cry is symbolic of the dominance that pitchers have exhibited in the first two days of softball competition in the 1996 Olympic Games. Watching the hitters struggle to catch up with pitches in excess of 110-115 kph from 40 feet almost seems unfair.
Pitchers have completely dominated the preliminary rounds of softball. Of the six games played, five have resulted in shutouts. Currently, hurlers have compiled a 1.78 ERA in 86.1 innings of work. Pitchers have notched 78 strikeouts in just six games.
Several pitchers have displayed their dominance with impressive strikeout totals. WANG Lihong of China is the early leader in the strikeout parade. In her two starts, WANG has struck out 22 batters in just 12.2 innings. Michele GRANGER of the United States recorded 10 strikeouts in her six-inning stint against Puerto Rico. Three Australian hurlers combined to punch out 11 in their loss to China.
The Japanese team recorded two shutouts to open the tournament. Juri TAKAYAMA shut out the Netherlands 3-0, scattering two hits and striking out seven. Tomoko WATANABE followed up her outing with a 4-0 blanking of China.
China displayed another sterling pitcher in WANG. WANG retired the first 11 Japanese batters that came to the plate. She held Japan scoreless until the Chinese broke through for three runs in the sixth. The runs marked the first tallies scored against WANG in 12.1 innings of work in just two days of competition. The streak included 21 strikeouts while allowing only five hits.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Thad Dohrn.
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| The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July). |