Three-time champions the United States showed its superiority on the softball field?in Beijing?on Tuesday as they set an Olympic record for most runs scored in a single game against Venezuela at the Beijing Olympics.
The lop-sided game was halted after only five innings when the United States had blanked the Olympic newcomer 11-0.
According to the provisions of the International Softball Federation's "run-ahead rule", a game will be declared officially after five innings if one team gets seven or more runs ahead of the other.
After back-to-back home runs by Natasha Watley and Caitlin Lowe, the designated batter Crytl Bustos hit the third one and improved her Olympic career home run record to nine. America's three home runs in a single game also tied the Olympic record.
"There's no time to celebrate," said American head coach Mike Candrea after the game.
"We are not here to put on a show. The players are playing hard, aggressively and playing smart. Our job as players and coaches is to prepare ourselves and do what we do well, and that's complete," he added.
The Americans have wrapped up all the golds up to now, boasting an Olympic record of 24-4.
Though regarded as the overwhelming favorite to top the podium, The Americans could also become the victims of their domination in the Olympic arena, as which is seen as one reason why the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted the sport out of the London Games in 2012.
"I don't know whether IOC members have seen the games. But we are only coaches and athletes and what we could do is just to play well on the field and that's the whole thing. I hope there are more great shows during the week," said the coach.
In the later clash between China and Netherlands, the host side overcame a slow-warm slump and delivered two decisive home runs to pound the European champion Netherlands 10-2.
Zhou Yi and Zhang Lifang, who contributed a solo home run and three-run homer respectively in the final inning, helped China notch the opening victory and also take a step closer to the elusive Olympic medals.
The only Olympic medal won by China's softball team, a silver, came in 1996, before it plunged to fourth in both Sydney and Athens Olympics.
However, China's coach Wang Lihong still didn't think it was easy for her side to fulfill the dream.
"It was our first game so it's not easy for the victory," said Wang.
"Our seven opponents are very strong and we must prepare enough for the following games. We have to make steady progress game after game. On the medal-pursuit goal, I do not want to mention it now and just let us see what will happen," she added.
In the other two games on Tuesday, Canada thrashed Chinese Taipei 6-1 and Japan defeated Australia 4-3.
The eight teams will play in a round-robin fomat at the preliminaries and the top four winners will contest for medals.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12,2008)