U.S.A. SURVIVES SCARE FROM AUSTRALIA AS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS BEGIN

SASAKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – The intensity level got kicked up a notch at the International Softball Federation’s X Women’s World Championship today. After seven days of eight games per day, the spotlight was on just four which took place on Friday.

The day opened with Chinese Taipei taking on Puerto Rico. Taipei was the third place finisher in Pool A, finishing round robin play with a 5-2 record, while Puerto Rico, fourth in Pool B, was 4-3. Chinese Taipei used a four-run second inning to pull away, 5-1, advancing them to a game tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. versus Australia. Puerto Rico committed three errors, and Taipei first baseman Pei- Chi Chien went 2-for-2 at the plate. With the loss, Puerto Rico is eliminated from the playoffs.

In the day’s second game, Italy joined Puerto Rico on the sidelines, losing to New Zealand, 3-0. The Italians had been shutout in three of their round robin games. New Zealand, who advances to a game against China tomorrow afternoon, had finished third in the “B” Pool in round robin play, going 5-2. They got a complete game, six-strikeout performance from pitcher Alisha Arnold, and a 3- for-4 performance at the plate from third baseman Char Pouaka, who also scored a run. The winners touched three Italy pitchers for 14 hits.

The United States and Australia then took the field, a 7-0 team in round robin play that had outscored their opposition 53-0, and one that lost just once in round robin play, respectively. The good news for the Australians was that they finally dented the armor the U.S. had around home plate, scoring three times in the top of the sixth, however they weren’t able to hang the first loss on the Americans, who held off the Aussies 4-3. Pitcher Jennie Finch started for the U.S. and struggle a bit. She walked the first batter in the second inning, the next reached based on a fielder’s choice, and the next two singled. Finch was replaced in the top of the sixth inning by Lisa Fernandez. Two Australia pitchers combined on seven strikeouts. The U.S. will play Japan tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

In the nightcap, Ukiki Ueno pitched a perfect game as Japan shutout China, 5- 0. She also had ten strikeouts. The winners opened the game with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. China had registered a perfect game during round robin play.

The winner of tomorrow’s Chinese Taipei vs. Australia game will take on the winner of the China-New Zealand game at 8:30 Saturday night.

For more details on the games as well as tournament statistics and leaders, use the link below to the event's official website and click on Results. A text recap of each game can also be found on that site by clicking on Media Services from the homepage. That website also has the full tournament schedule. Media members and fans are also encouraged to visit this ISF website throughout the World Championship.

The top four teams from this event will qualify to play in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The medal games here are scheduled for Sunday, August 4.

Daily Round-ups
Results
View Event Photos