Australia 2 - 0 after gritty win over host nation Taiwan
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In what was truly a superb pitching display by Victorian Simone Wearne, Australia jumped to a 2-0 record after Day 2 with a 4-0 win over home town favourite Chinese Taipei.
Simone went 5 1/3 innings allowing only three hits in her masterful display - only four Chinese batters being able to get through the infield.
Australia got on the board in the second inning after a walk to Renée Straumietis and a RBI triple to Mel Gregory.
In the top of the fourth, Chinese Taipei came close to scoring after a single and a hit batter gave them runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 out. However an interference call on the hitter after she blocked an attempt by catcher Clare Whittam to pick off the runner at 3B, saw the inning end and leave Chinese Taipei scoreless.
Australia piled on more runs in the bottom of the 4th, after lead off batter Clare Whittam reached on error, stole second and reached third on a passed ball. A walk to Jade Hough gave Australia 1st and 3rd and with the squeeze play put on Shae Lillywhite, a high pitch saw the ball get away from the catcher allowing Whittam to score. A single by Lillywhite and a walk to Amy McCann loaded the bases, with Samantha Hamilton ‘knocking’ in the third run after being hit by the pitch. The very next hitter Renee Straumietis walked, forcing another run across the plate and Australia took a commanding lead 4-0.
Kellie Manzie relieved Wearne for the last 1 2/3 retiring all five batters she faced.
Coach Kane Longstaff was happy with the gritty win over a team that troubled Australia at the 04 World Series and World Cup.
“We cut down the walks and really were solid across the field,”he said
“Combined with Simone’s great pitching and timely batting from all, we earned a very solid and impressive win.”
Team MVP: Simone Wearne
In other Day 2 games, Japan def Hong Kong 43-0 while Canada just edged past Cuba 10-8.
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