1st DAY CONCLUDES AT OLYMPIC QUALIFIER IN ITALY

2003-06-23

It’s only one day in the books, but it’s also one step closer to the clinching of the seventh Olympic spot.

The Africa/Europe Olympic qualifier, to qualify one more team for next summer’s Olympic softball competition, got underway today in Macerata and Cupramontana. Twelve teams are competing for the right to join the six others who’ve already guaranteed themselves a spot in Athens in August 2004.

Today’s play began with Germany blanking Austria 2-0. The winners scored once each in the top of the third and fourth innings and pitchers Anna Neusen and Jutta Lehmeyer combined to hold Austria to just three hits.

While that game was going on, a tight game was being contested in Cupramontana, with Russia finally pushing the game’s only run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning. Spain had just two hits in the loss, and Ekaterina Eronina struck out 11 batters to lead her team to victory.

Next up was a game in Macerata featuring Belgium and Croatia in what would be another close game. Belgium scored twice in the bottom of the third and then once more two innings later for the 3-0 win. Despite pitching a complete game, Croatia’s Jelena Tomic walked five batters.

Great Britain then recorded what would be the biggest margin of victory to that point with a four-run win over Botswana, 5-1. The winners pounded out eight hits and scored runs in four of the six innings they batted in. Botswana’s only run came in the top of the sixth, after they were already down 5-0. Great Britain’s pitching combined for nine strikeouts.

The Netherlands, looking to get back to the Olympics after having made it to the world’s stage in 1996 but not 2000, opened their quest with a convincing 8- 2 win over Germany. Three runs in each of the bottom of the first and sixth innings helped the Netherlands, who totaled 12 hits in the game. Leading the way was shortstop Daisy DePeinder who was 3-for-4 at the plate, with two RBI.

Spain took to the field for their second game of the day and this time came out on top, thumping France 9-2. In the top of the first inning Spain scored four times. France got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the third, but then Spain put the game out of reach with five runs in the top of the third. The team’s eleven hits were overshadowed only by the first no-hitter of the tournament. Spain’s Elena Ayuso no-hit France in helping her team even their record.

The Czech Republic started off with a big confidence builder, shutting out Belgium 8-0.

The hosts were featured in the final game of the night in Cupramontana, and Italy did not disappoint, blanking Botswana 6-0.

Eight more games will take place on Tuesday, beginning with Russia vs. France in Macerata and Great Britain vs. Spain in Cupramontana, both at 11:00 (local time).

Follow the qualifier through the official event website using the link below.

Talk about it in “Our National Team” and/or “General Discussion” using the ISF Forum link below.

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