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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, June 24, 2001

Team USA continues to roll through Cup competition

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Relentlessly smashing — or striking out — any softball team in its path, the United States rolled to its third consecutive victory yesterday in the inaugural U.S. Cup at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Team USA shortstop Natasha Watley, fields a ground ball as Australia's Kerry Wyborn runs to third base. The United States beat Australia, 3-0.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The U.S., already guaranteed a berth in today's gold-medal game, shut out Australia, 3-0, before a crowd of 338. China beat Japan, 1-0, in the opener to gain a shot at the gold today at 3 p.m.; Australia and Japan play for the bronze at 1.

Amanda Freed was the latest American pitcher to pummel an opponent, throwing a three-hitter and striking out a dozen last night. Over the last three nights, three American pitchers have yet to give up an earned run, while striking out 32, walking three and allowing 10 hits.

Tairia Mims had as many hits as the Australians, going 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored. Jessica Mendoza also homered, going deep off of former University of Hawai'i All-American Kelly Gentle, an alternate who had her second upbeat outing in as many nights.

"I'm very impressed with Kelly," said Australia coach Simon Roskvist, who also played current Wahine Kate Judd at shortstop. "I thought she did a really honorable job again."

Roskvist is not impressed with his hitting after going 0-3. Two of the Australians' hits came in their first three at-bats last night. From there, Freed's change-up froze them.

In contrast, the first four Americans struck out against 19-year-old Aussie starter Zara Mee. Then Freed grounded out and Mims, Lizzy Lemire and Lindsey Collins lined singles. Mee was never the same again.

"We just moved up on the plate a little," said U.S. head coach Jay Miller, "and tried to be more disciplined."

Australia has six Olympians on its roster, but is making a concerted effort to look at new faces on this tour. Of the four teams here, it has played together the least.

The U.S. is made up primarily of students coming off their collegiate seasons. Stacey Nuveman is the only Olympian, while Freed was an alternate in Sydney. The team has played together two weeks.

It looks like much more.

"They are just strong," Gentle said. "And, the U.S. is just very 'team-y.' They always look like they're supporting each other.

"I was thinking this looks like a tighter unit than what I saw at the Olympics, just because they're all around the same age. They all have common interests. They're a bunch of girlfriends playing softball together. How much fun is that? It's working well for them."

China ran its record to 2-1 in yesterday's opener. Lixia Zhang, blasted by the Australians Thursday for three runs in two-thirds of an inning, shut Japan down on three hits. Zhang struck out eight and didn't allow a hit until the fourth, or a runner past first until the seventh.

In that last inning, Zhang escaped a bases-loaded, no-out predicament. She struck out pinch-hitter Miyuki Chiba, got designated hitter Yuka Suzuki on a shallow fly and — with the help of a big breeze — got the final out when pinch-hitter Noriko Yamaji flew out to deep right.

China put runners in scoring position in four innings. Juri Maeda, who pitched a four-hitter and did not give up an earned run, stifled the first three threats with some of her eight strikeouts. Then her defense deserted her.

Hua Tao led off the seventh with a fly ball to the wind tunnel in right that couldn't be handled. She advanced to second on a bunt and was nearly picked off when Miyo Yamada — Japan's Olympic catcher — snagged a foul tip for the second out and threw to centerfielder Satoko Mabuchi behind Tao at second.

A moment later, Jianwen Chen singled to center. Mabuchi charged the ball to try and throw out Tao, but it rolled by her to the fence for Japan's second error of the inning and third of the game.

SHORT HOPS: Plans are underway for the 2002 U.S. Cup here next year. USA softball hopes to have these four teams back and has secured commitments from New Zealand and Canada ... Next year, the participants would move on to the Canada Cup and the World Championships, which will also be in Canada.

China 000 000 1—1 4 0
Japan 000 000 0—0 3 3

Lixia Zhang and Jian Xu. Juri Maeda and Miyo Yamada. WP—Lixia. LP—Maeda.


Australia 000 000 0—0 3 1
USA 010 110 X—3 8 0

Amanda Freed and Stacey Nuveman. Zara Mee, Kelly Gentle (4) and Danica Howlett. WP—Freed. LP—Mee.

Leading Hitters: USA—Tairia Mims 3-3, home run, 2 runs; Jessica Mendoza. Australia—Kerry Wyborn 2-3.