Aussie Spirit and Japan are the only unbeaten sides after the opening day's play at the Softball Australia Pacific Cup.
Japan, the defending Olympic gold medallists, outscored both Mexico and Chinese Taipei 8-3 and 8-1 respectively while the Aussie Spirit won an emotional game against Australia A 4-1 thanks to a three-run home run by Jade Wall with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The Aussie Spirit earned their second win, beating Italy 7-4 in the last game of the day.
Earlier in the day, Italy came from behind to defeat Mexico 4-3 with a four-run sixth at-bat while Chinese Taipei won their first game of the day, beating New Zealand 7-1. In the closest game of the day Australia A defeated New Zealand 1-0 with Rachel Lack scored the only run in the bottom of the first.
Day One Results
Japan-Mexico 8-3
Chinese Taipei-New Zealand 7-1
Australia A-New Zealand 1-0
Japan-Chinese Taipei 8-1
Italy-Mexico 4-3
Aussie Spirit-Australia A 4-1
Aussie Spirit-Italy 7-4
Tournament Standings
Japan, Aussie Spirit 2 wins-0 losses
Italy, Australia A, Chinese Taipei 1-1
New Zealand, Mexico 0-2
Day 2 Schedule (all times are local-Greenwich + 11 hours)
11:00am Australia A-Chinese Taipei
1:30pm Aussie Spirit-Chinese Taipei
1:30pm Japan-Italy
4:00pm Australia A-Mexico
4:00pm Japan-New Zealand
6:30pm Italy-New Zealand
6.30pm Aussie Spirit-Mexico
Softball Australia is streaming group play games through its Facebook page. The finals will be available on Sunday, 2 February, on the Olympic Channel.
