Sof: Australia makes it six from seven in softball

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2004
Sof: Australia makes it six from seven in softball

ATHENS, Aug 20 AAP - Australia's medal-bound softball team finished its Olympic Games
preliminary round on a winning note today, beating Greece 3-2 today.

Australia was already into the finals and is guaranteed a medal after finishing second
behind the unbeaten US in the preliminaries, with six wins from seven matches.

The Aussies fought back from 2-0 down in the first inning after pitcher Brooke Wilkins'
horror Olympics continued, walking five of the first six batters to gift Greece the lead.

But after Wilkins was pulled mid-first inning for the third time in the tournament
and replaced by Tanya Harding, the Aussies shifted into top gear.

Olympic debutant Stacey Porter hit her second home run of the tournament in the third
inning to get Australia on the scoreboard.

Then designated hitter Tracey Mosley thumped another homer in the inning which batted
in Amanda Doman to give Australia the lead.

The Aussies had some nervous moments in the seventh inning, when Harding walked a batter
then gave up hits to Lindsay James and Sarah Farnworth to give the Greeks a sniff of a
leveller with bases loaded and two outs.

But Harding struck out Ginny Georgantas to seal the game.

Harding gave up four hits for the match, while the Aussies had seven hits of their own.

Australia now plays the US on Sunday in the playoff to go through to the gold medal
match on Monday.

The loser of that game gets a second chance to play in the gold medal game, playing
the winner of the third v fourth playoff on Sunday.

The winner advances to the final and the loser gets the bronze medal.

AAP gh/nh

KEYWORD: OLY SOF AUST LEAD FULLTIME

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.