U.S.A. ADVANCES TO FIFTH STRAIGHT WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL GAME

SASAKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – It took two extra innings, but the United States’ team defeated Japan’s 1-0 to advance to tomorrow’s gold medal game of the International Softball Federation’s X Women’s World Championship. The U.S., who won the gold medal at both Olympic games since softball became an Olympic sport (1996 and 2000), have won the last four gold medals at the ISF Women’s World Championship (1998, 1994, 1990, and 1986). They did not appear in the gold medal game in 1982, making Sunday’s their fifth straight.

The international rule regarding extra innings provides for the batter who made the last out in the previous inning to be placed on second base to start the next inning. It’s a good thing, otherwise the U.S. and Japan likely could’ve gone all night just trying to get a baserunner, let alone score a run. Neither team scored in the first extra inning, with the U.S. then blanking Japan in the top of the ninth, before Teri Goldberg got a base hit in the bottom of the ninth to score the runner from second base Michele Smith (who was pinch running).

To play the U.S. for the gold medal tomorrow, Japan or Chinese Taipei will have to win twice. Those two teams play the bronze medal game at 11:00 a.m., with the loser getting the bronze and the winner going on to the gold medal game at 2:00 p.m. against the Americans.

Chinese Taipei advanced to the bronze medal game against Japan tomorrow morning by answering a five-run third inning by China with six of their own in the bottom of the fourth for a 6-5 victory and their second win of the day. The loss sends China home. However, they along with the three teams left to play tomorrow have now qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The host country will also have a team in the field of eight, with the remaining three to be determined by regional qualifiers (dates and locations TBA).

The day had begun with Chinese Taipei taking on Australia. Australia won the bronze at the 2000 Olympics and the silver medal at the 1998 Women’s World Championship. Those credentials allow the “upset” label then to be placed on their loss to Taipei, 4-2. The Aussies appeared poised to collect another medal when they opened the game with two runs in the top of the first, but Chinese Taipei replied with one in the bottom of the second and three in the bottom of the sixth, then shutting down Australia in the top of the seventh to seal the win. The losers committed four errors, and Chinese Taipei got a 3-for- 3 performance from shortstop Ya-Fen Wang, who also scored a run.

China and New Zealand took center stage next, with the winner getting a showdown later in the evening with Taipei and the loser joining Australia at the airport to go home. Like Australia, New Zealand had their chances to pull it out, but did themselves in and lost by the same 4-2 score. China did it with just three hits, and two runs in each of the third and sixth innings, after New Zealand had scored in the top of the sixth to come within one. In the top of the seventh, New Zealand scored a run to cut it to 4-2. They got the tying runs in scoring position (second and third bases), but, with two out, right fielder Kim Dermott’s line drive was caught spectacularly by China third baseman Tao Hua to finish things off and send China to the late game versus Chinese Taipei.

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.

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