‘YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE DOES IT FOR AUSTRALIA’

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It was a tried and tested combination of experience and youth for Australia in Game 4 of the 2006 World Cup in Taiwan, as Australia edged out Cuba in a nail biting 5-4 win in the bottom of the last inning.

37 year old Terina Stokes started on the mound for the Roos and was impressive only allowing 5 hits and 2 runs across 4 innings. In her second start, Terina once again wound back the clock - and for tournament pitched 7.1 innings for an ERA of 2.45.

At the opposite end of her career, 17 year old ‘rookie’ Queenslander Kimberley Schulte relieved Stokes and in her second appearance for the tournament, Kim once again showed poise and composure well beyond her years with three strong innings, allowing only four hits and no earned runs.

Kimberley was also the star of the game with the bat with her game wining ‘goodbye hit’ in the bottom of the 7^th inning when, with scores deadlocked 4-4, she drove in pinch runner Julia Fellows from 2B with a single to centre field.

Earlier in the inning, Katie Gaynor hit one of the longest balls of the tournament, bouncing it off the 325 fence in left field to lead off the last. After Kellie Manzie walked, Julia Fellows pinch ran for Katie and with 1 out, Kimberley put the final nail in the Cuban coffin.

For Australia, Shae Lillywhite picked up 3 singles, Samantha Hamilton knocked in Australia’s first two runs with a triple to the wall and Clare Whittam and Renee Straumietis both picked up doubles.

Australia now plays Japan at 10am on Friday morning in a must win do or die clash for both teams. A win for either team will leave the trophy aspirations in tact whilst a loss will leave them unable to win the tournament.

Team MVP: Kimberley Schulte

In other Day 5 action, Canada proved they definitely are the team to beat after they upset the Japanese 6-3 in night action, whilst the USA defeated Hong Kong 12-0.

In Day 6 action, Australia plays Japan at 10am, Cuba takes on the USA at 2.30 and Canada looks to almost seal their championship win at 6.30 when they clash with Chinese Taipei.

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