Olympics Softball: Recaps August 12

Taiwan – Canada 1-6

CAN 022 002 0  6 11 0
TAI 000 000 1  1  2 2

Box score

Canada got off to a good start the Olympics, beating Taiwan 6-1 in the tournament opener. Megan Timpf went three-for-three with two runs scored and three RBI to lead the offense. Jennifer Salling had three hits and two runs. Chinese Taipei scored their lone run on seventh inning solo shot by Chiu-Ching Li. Lauren Bay Regula (W 1-0) struck out eight in five one-hit innings, while walking five. Chia-Yen Wu (L 0-1) gave up four runs (3 ER) on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Venezuela – USA 0-11

USA 042 50  11 11 0
VEN 000 00   0  0 2

Box score

Jennie Finch (W 1-0) and Monica Abbot no-hit Venezuela to lead team USA to an 11-0 shutout in their first game of the Olympics. Finch allowed just two walks to the Venezuelan center fielder Yaicey Sojo in four innings, while striking out five. Sojo even was removed from the bases due to a caught steal and a double play. Abbot completed the game with two strikeouts in a perfect fifth.

Natasha Watley, Caitlin Lowe and Crystl Bustos homered for the Americans. Andrea Duran drove in three. Johana Gomez (L 0-1) was responsible for six hits, five runs and a base on balls in two-plus innings.

Japan – Australia 4-3

AUS 030 000 0  3 6 1
JPN 310 000 X  4 5 1

Box score

In the most interesting game of the first day of the Softball tournament Japan defeated Australia 4-3. Japan took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Satoko Mabuchi’s three-run homerun. But the Aussies came back and evened the score in the top of the second through homeruns by Natalie Titcume and Jodie Bowering. The outcome was decided in the bottom of the frame, as Japan regained the lead, when Megu Hirose scored on an error by catcher Titcume, after reaching base with a triple. It was the last time that either team would score in the match. Australia had a last chance to tied the game in the sixth, putting two runners on with two outs, but Natalie Ward lined out into center field to end the threat.

Yukiko Ueno (W 1-0) settled in after the rough start and went the distance to pick up the win. She allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out five. Melanie Roche (L 0-1) took the loss, giving up four hits, four runs (3 ER) and a walk in four innings.

Recap Netherlands – China 2-10

Games on Wednesday, August 13:
09:30 Venezuela – China
12:00 USA – Australia
17:00 Taiwan – Japan
19:30 Netherlands – Canada