U.S. routs Australia in softball
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ATHENS, Greece — The International Olympic Committee is considering eliminating softball as an Olympic sport after the 2008 Games. The United States might have to bear some blame for being too good for the sport's own good.
Associated Press
The Americans have been ranked No. 1 in the world the past 18 years. They have won five consecutive world championships and both Olympic gold medals since softball became an official sport in 1996.
United States starting pitcher Lisa Fernandez allowed one hit and one walk in a 10-0 victory over Australia. Fernandez had lost twice to Australia in previous Olympic Games.
Australia had been the only team good enough to create a rivalry. The Australians were 2-1 against Team USA in the Olympics before yesterday. But even the Australians were frustrated yesterday in a 10-0 loss to the Americans in a game called after 4 1/2 innings by the mercy rule.
It was sweet revenge for U.S. pitcher Lisa Fernandez, who had taken both Olympic losses to Australia on home runs. This time, despite not having a strikeout for the first time she could remember, Fernandez gave up just a hit and a walk as the Australians had only one runner reach second base.
Australia started former University of Hawai'i All-American Brooke Wilkins for the second straight game and, again, she didn't make it out of the first inning. Wilkins gave up two runs on two hits and three walks.
"She's had two ordinary starts and people are thinking what am I doing putting her out there," Australian coach Simon Roskvist said. "But consistently she's performed for us over the years. I'd give her the ball again."
Reliever Melanie Roche kept Australia in it until the fourth inning when the Americans sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs on seven hits.
Stacey Porter, a UH senior, went 0 for 2 for Australia, playing designated player and hitting third.
Also yesterday, Greece won its first Olympic softball game. It shut out Canada, 2-0, behind Sarah Farnworth's three-hitter. Former UH-Hilo academic All-American Kristy Odamura had a single for Canada.
Greece (1-1) got only two hits, but scored two unearned runs.
Athens2004.com contributed to this report
