China’s infield player Lu Ying was the toast of the team in their close 2-1 win over Korea to complete their Group A fixtures unbeaten and qualify for the Super Round in the WBSC Softball Asia/Oceania Qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Shanghai Chongming Sports Training Center.
What was expected to be an easy match for host team against Korea who had lost their previous two matches to Philippines (1-10) and New Zealand (5-1), saw them give China a run for their money.
In the bottom 1, Lu Ying’s doubles down left field line saw Yan Si Yu get the first run for China.
Lu Ying came to China’s rescue again in the bottom 4, with her homer to deep right centre.
It was Lu’s second home run after having scored one against Philippines yesterday in their come from behind 5-3 win.
Korea got back into the game in the top 6, off a Suk Eunjung singles to deep centre field for Lee Bo Hyeon to score and put the pressure on China, but the latter managed to keep their composure to wrap up the game in seven innings when Korea failed to increase.
China’s coach Corey Myers rather look on the positive side of the narrow win rather than the negative.
“It was a close win, but it is still a win and we have remained unbeaten and reached the Super Round,” said Myers after the match.
“We have come back from behind to win our earlier two matches and today we had a close game before winning. These will all serve us well as we go into the Super round as the players have gained tremendous experience from the pattern of the games.
“We are fully prepared for the Super round and book our Olympic ticket. This is a five game tournament over five days and what matters is to win at the end of the day, no matter how.”
