China takes pitching duel over Australia to start Softball World Championship

In a very close game for the Group B of the Softball World Championship, China defeated today Australia by a score of 1-0. The Chinese staff combined for a 2-hit shutout to claim the victory in a very interesting pitching duel.

China scored the only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Mengyan Wang had a quality at bat, ant hit a full-count, outside pitch through the middle of the diamond to lead off with a single. She was replaced on the base path by pinch runner Yhan Zhang, who advanced to second on a slow roller to short stop.

At that time head coach Fabian Barlow replaced left hander Kaia Parnaby in the circle for Justine Smethurst to face Lili Liu, who advanced the runner to third on a slap grounder to short stop.

With two outs on the board, Qi Li showed great hability whit the bat and hit an opposite-field single to plate the winning run for her team, on a well placed-pitch by Smethurst.

Xinxing Zhao had an stellar five-inning outing, before being replaced by Lan Wang, who pitched two perfect innings to close the game for China.

Tomorrow at 12:30 local time, China will face Great Britain on its second game of the tournament.

Australia 7-1 Venezuela

In the first game of the day, Australia defeated Venezuela, 7-1. The South American team took the lead early in the game, but then the Aussie Spirit came from behind to claim the victory.

In the top of the second inning Venezuela took the lead with only one swing. Designated player Jamee Juarez found a drop ball in the middle of the zone and hit a home run to left field, for the first run of the game.

After three scoreless innings, Michelle Floyd got into trouble in the bottom of the fourth. Australia loaded the bases on two walks an a bunt single, and pinch hitter Samantha Poole hit a 2-RBI single to left field to take the lead. Then Floyd was replaced by Jamee Juarez who retired the last two outs of the inning with two pop up flies.

With the lead in the scoreboard, in the top of the fifth inning Australian Head Coach Fabian Barlow sent Ellen Roberts to the circle in relief of Kaia Parnaby, who left the game with 6 strikeouts, 3 hits and 1 run.

In the bottom of the sixth Australia added five more runs to its lead to secure the game. With the bases loaded Tamieka Whitefield scored on an error, and Leigh Godfrey singled up the middle to produce two more runs. Eight pitches later, Chelsea Forkin hit an opposite-field home run to make it 7-1.

After the first day of competition, Australia finishes with a 1-1 record. Tomorrow the Aussie Spirit will face Italy at 10:00 local time.

Ellen Roberts saved the game in three innings of work