Australia goes down to China in high scoring match at the 2008 International Softball Challenge

[Al's Fastball News]

Australia goes down to China in high scoring match at the 2008
International Softball Challenge

Australia and China squared off last night in the final game
of Day 1 at the 2008 International Challenge at Blacktown Olympic
Park. Each team was coming off wins in their previous games of
the day, China defeated Japan 1 - 0 in their first game and after
a solo home run by Natalie Titcume (VIC), Australia silenced
Canada 1 - 0.  In what turned out to be a high scoring game,
China capitalized on some Australian errors and won the match
8 runs to 6.

Justine Smethurst (VIC) started the game for Australia, her first
game for the green and gold since 2005. She got off to a great
start, throwing down 108km per hour pitches at the first three
hitters shutting them down with no score.

Australia took their opportunities early in the game with a Stacey
Porter (NSW) double scoring Simmone Morrow (NSW) to take an early
lead.  China struck back in the second innings off Smethurst
with three runs including a right field home run by Chinese first
base player, Wu Di.  

Australia went to work in the bottom of the third with the bats
in a great batting display with Danica Howlett (NSW) and Kerry
Wyborn (NSW) scoring three runs to take the lead 4 runs to 3.
 

Kelly Hardie (QLD) replaced Smethurst in the 5th innings on the
mound and China immediately scored a run to draw the game level.
 Both teams were kept scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings.

Disappointing for the Australians, China came out in the 8th
innings tie breaker and scored 4 runs through great power hitting
and some errors by the Australian defense.  Australia’s run chase
fell short in the bottom half of the innings, with only Kate
Quigley (VIC) and Porter scoring for the Australians ending the
game in China’s favour 8 runs to 6.

Australian Head Coach, Fabian Barlow was overall pleased with
the effort of the Australian girls throughout day.  Most pleasing
that despite a limited team preparation for the Australians,
each player was came to the park ready to play today put their
best foot forward for the green and gold.  Barlow commented that
the win against the Olympic roster of Canada was a great result
for Australia given the quality of the opposition players in
the Canadian Team.  



Day 1 Results
China (1) defeated Japan (0)
Australia (1) defeated Canada (0)
China (8) defeated Australia (6)


AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
Australian team members available on request


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Kylie Bloodworth
Softball Australia
Mobile: 0400 909 166

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