USA tops Australia 3-1 to begin Final Four of Women’s Baseball World Cup

05/09/2014

MIYAZAKI, Japan –The United States and Australia were involved in a classic pitcher’s duel — in which only five hits were registered — to start the Final Four of the ENEOS Presents Women’s Baseball World Cup, with the USA squad narrowly coming out on top of Australia, 3-1, at Sun Marine Stadium

MIYAZAKI, Japan –The United States and Australia were involved in a classic pitcher’s duel — in which only five hits were registered — to start the Final Four of the ENEOS Presents Women’s Baseball World Cup, with the USA squad narrowly coming out on top of Australia, 3-1, at Sun Marine Stadium

Australia handed the ball to fire-baller Brittany Hepburn (4.0 IP, 3H, 2R, 3K), whose fastball approaches 80 mph; the U.S. entrusted Donna Williams (3 2/3 IP, 1H, 1R, 3K) with mound duties.

Hepburn and Williams cruised through the first three innings, setting a high-octane pace that saw the end of the game conclude at an official time of 2 hours and 21 minutes.

The “Emeralds” – Australia’s Women’s National Baseball Team moniker – were first to get on the ‘board, in the top of the 4th inning, when Williams experienced a bit of wildness, hitting an Emerald, issuing a walk and throwing a few wild pitches, which allowed Australia to score without registering a hit in the inning.

USA’s trio of relievers, Clarisa Navarro, Marti Sementelli and Sarah Hudek put out the fire and went on to throw 2 2/3 innings of no-hit, shutout baseball.

With Australia leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 4th, a walk and sac bunt set the table for USA to tie the game on an RBI double down the leftfield line by Jade Gortarez. USA would take a 2-1 lead in the same inning on a wild pitch.

After a scoreless 5th inning, USA took advantage of the Emeralds’ wildness on the mound, pushing across an insurance run on walks, a hit by pitch and a wild pitch.

USA’s closer, Hudek, ensured there would be no more scoring from the Austrlian side, tossing two perfect innings of relief, which earned her the win.

With a Japan win against Canada today, Sunday’s medal game match-ups would be decided: Japan vs. USA for gold; Australia vs. Canada for bronze.

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