Stacey Porter's grand slam homer earned Australia a lop-sided
16-1 victory over host China at softball China Cup played in
Beijing on Wednesday.
Australia, the bronze medalists at world championships, scored
seven points out of the second inning as Chinese pitcher Wang Lan
surrendered two walkaways and three hits and China's two errors in
the second also led to a situation worse to their collapse.
Wang gave Belinda Wright walkaway first before Sandra Allen's
single. Then Sun Li's error enabled the Australians to fully based.
Another walkway to Kate Judo to help Allen win Australia's first
point.
The second error rendered Sandra Allen the second point and Nat
Titcume's single drove Danica Howlett home before Porter hit grand
slam home run to add another four points.
Seven points in the second inning encouraged Australia's offense
in the third, which produced five more points to the advantaged
side.
Wang Lan is substituted by Zhou Yin after she allowed two quick
hits in the third. Sandra Allen singled before reaching the home
plate when Jodie Bowering hit double. Then Bowering followed up to
the plate to Mel Weaver's single. Zhou Yi's walkaway to Tracey
Mosley allowed Kate Judd to walk home and Mel Weaver scored again
to establish Australia a 12-point lead over China just after three
innings.
China had to change the pitcher in the fourth inning to have Yu
Huili on after the first two allowed 11 hits and 12 points to
Australia.
Yu's pitch work failed to stop the Australians from expanding
their scoring rattle. Yu gave up two hits and back-to-back
walkaway, enabling Australia four more points.
China's sole point came in the second half of the fourth inning
as Sun Li's double drove Wu Di home to avoid a blank for host.
Chinese head coach Wang Lihong labeled the game as abnormal.
"It's a game out of the order for us. When we made mistakes, the
athletes plunged into panic and a emotional pressure followed up
for them," said Wang, adding her players are not strong-minded in
the game.
"For the starting pitcher Wang Lan, it's just all right in the
beginning but she faded after Australia scored with ease.
"The Australians judged accurately over out-line balls and
carried through the match in their rhythm."
"It will not affect our performance in the upcoming games
tomorrow, actually. The game is just our chance to practice and to
gain experience.
"Australia is in favor, which is not surprising for us. What
surprises us is their winning with such a large margin," added
Wang.
"We should analyze the game and make self-evaluation when we are
back. Actually, we did make some key errors in the game."
Substitute pitcher Zhou Yin echoed Wang's voice for the
emotional weakness in Chinese team.
"I performed modestly. I was a little nervous when the bases are
occupied by the opposing team, besides it was the first time that I
pitch against Australia," said Zhou.
In previous two games of the day, China beat Chinese Taipei 12-0
and Canada down Chinese Taipei 6-0.
In last year's world championship, China lost to Australia in
the bronze final and finished fourth in the 16-team tournament,
which serves as the first Olympic test event in Beijing.
Softball has been dropped from the Olympics beginning with the
2012 London Games.
All four teams here take the opportunity to let their full pool
experience the Olympic venue and finalize their rosters for the
Olympics ten months away.
(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2007)