China's bats outhit Canada's in the grand final to capture the title. (Photo courtesy of China Softball Association)

HOST WINS CHINA CUP
2007-10-15

Yesterday in Beijing, the five-day China Cup tournament finished up at the Fengtai Softball Field, site of next year’s Olympic Softball competition. China defeated Canada, 5-0, in the grand final. The host team had beaten both Chinese Taipei and Australia for the right to play Canada, who had clinched a spot in the title game by virtue of a 4-0 decision that was the first defeat for the Aussies, twice a shutout winner over the Canadians in round robin play.

Canada started China on their way to the Cup title with a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the second inning that brought the game’s first run across the plate. The winners got their remaining four runs in the fourth on a two-run single with the bases loaded followed by another two-run single with runners on second and third.

The Chinese pitchers held the Canadian bats in check, allowing only three hits (all singles) and no walks over seven innings.

Australia earned the bronze medals with Chinese Taipei finishing fourth.

Each of China’s games during the China Cup was televised.

This quartet of teams will be joined at next year’s Olympics by Japan, Netherlands, USA, and Venezuela in the softball competition (August 12-21).

In the meantime, another “Cup” will take place in Asia next month. The 5th Japan Cup is scheduled for November 16-18 in Yokohama.

Softball Canada contributed to this report.