Parnaby outduels Cecchetti in Australia’s 1-0 shutout win over Italy

Australia's Kaia Parnaby and Italy's Greta Cecchetti put on a pitching showcase on day 2 of the Tokyo Olympic softball competition, with the Aussies prevailing 1-0 at Fukushima Azuma Stadium.

Australian lefty Parnaby worked 6.2 scoreless innings and came out with the win. She gave up 4 hits and 1 walk, with 2 strikeouts. 

Cecchetti posted similar numbers, as the righty pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out two.

Australia scored the game-winning run with two outs in the second inning. Taylah Tsitsikronis led the inning off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out by Tarni Stepto. With two outs, Jade Wall beat out an infield grounder that knocked in Tsitsikronis for the game's only run.

Down to their final out, Italy put two runners on base in the seventh, Ellen Roberts came in to relieve Parnaby and struck out Marta Gasparotto to earn the save.

Australia's win evens their record (1-1), while Italy (0-2) is still looking for their first win after dropping two tight contests at Tokyo 2020.