OKLAHOMA CITY — Jennie Finch and Jenae Leles homered and the U.S. capitalized on some shaky defense by Italy for a 12-0 victory tonight at the World Cup of Softball.

Best known for her pitching prowess, Finch has become a staple in the middle of the lineup for a new-look American team that has 10 rookies.

She hit a two-run home run in a six-run first inning for the Americans (2-0), and Leles added a three-run shot to center field in the third as the U.S. kept pulling away for a mercy rule win stopped after five innings.

Italy (0-2) helped the American offense in the first inning by letting leadoff hitter Natasha Watley out of a rundown between second and third.

The U.S. also scored on a rundown in the second inning when Leles broke for home while Andrea Duran was caught between second and third.