THREE UNBEATENS REMAIN AFTER OLYMPIC QUALIFIER DAY 2

2003-06-24

Russia found some offense in the first game today after having squeaked past Spain yesterday 1-0. Today Russia improved to 2-0 with a 6-1 win over France. Olga Chernakova went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run while also striking out three over four innings pitched to keep France out of the “win” column.

Meanwhile, in Cupramontana, Great Britain had another solid outing in raising their record to 2-0 with a 7-3 win over Spain. The winners pounded out nine hits, and left-fielder Julie Brooks went 3-for-4, driving in three runs. Great Britain’s Sarah Lockett doubled and homered in what would be the team’s first of two games Tuesday.

The Czech Republic, 8-0 winners on Day One, kept up their winning ways by scratching out a 1-0 win over Austria in a game that took an extra inning to get a run, and a decision. The victory came in the bottom of the eighth inning and Austria fell to 0-2. The Czech Republic got a complete game from pitcher Lucie Marsikova, who struck out six Austria batters.

The Netherlands showed no mercy on a Croatia team that had been shutout yesterday. Today the Dutch wrapped up their game in just three innings, routing Croatia 22-0. Not only did the winners have 16 hits, but their pitcher, Rebecca Soumeru kept a perfect game intact for the game’s three innings. Surprisingly, there were no home runs hit in the game.

Botswana got its first win today after opening up with two losses on Monday. Today in Macerata they edged France 7-6. Botswana actually trailed 3-2 after six innings, then outscored France 5-3 in the final inning. Third baseman Sarah Barongwang had the game-winning RBI. France was led by catcher Peggy Vendramin’s 3-for-3, two RBI performance.

Meanwhile, a pair of teams that had split their two Monday games were going at it in Cupramontana. Germany held off Belgium 2-1 despite getting only three hits. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Germany got both of their runs.

In the first of the evening’s final two games, host Italy was victorious for the second night in a row, handing Great Britain their first loss, 5-2. Italy scored twice in the top of the third only to see Great Britain come back with two of their own in the bottom of the fourth. The Italians went right back to a two-run lead in the top of the fifth. Great Britain was held to just three hits, and Italy’s pitchers, Susan Bugliarello and Jennifer Spediacci, combined for 18 strikeouts. The offensive star was first baseman Frances Francolini who went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs.

The Czech Republic and the Netherlands closed out today’s games in Cupramontana. Each team was looking to stay unbeaten, but only one could, and despite their offensive outburst earlier in the day against Croatia, it wouldn’t be the Netherlands. The Czech Republic got their third straight shutout win, 5-0. The win came from a two-run second and three-run fifth inning, as well as via Czech pitcher Eliska Pojerova’s complete game, four- hitter, highlighted by nine strikeouts.

Play continues Wednesday with France and Italy squaring off in Macerata and Belgium taking on Austria in Cupramontana. Both games are scheduled to start at 11:00 (local time).

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