Canada crushes New Zealand 9-0 at softball worlds

Canada trounced New Zealand 9-0 in five innings in Women's World Softball Championship at Fengtai Softball Center here on Sunday.

Sheena Lawrick's first inning double sent Melanie Matthews home. Then Kristy Odamura, Sheena Lawrick as well as Alison Bradley added another three runs for their team to pull ahead.

Matthews and Sheena Lawrick continued their outstanding performance during the next four innings. Matthews got her second run in second inning on the single of Alison Bradley after stealing second base and then was sent home by Sheena Lawick again on the top of fifth.

Sheena Lawrick also did quite actively with three RBIs in total and scored the same times as Matthews did.

Canada starter Kaila Holts struck out four and allowed two hits in her second pitching innings. Danielle Lawrie, the reliever, gave up two hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

The best chance came up for New Zealand on the bottom of second when bases were loaded for three at-bats. But Canadia succeeded to defend against the chance of New Zealanders' scoring in the end, as Kaila Holtz struck out straight two with one out. New Zealand got only four hits totally all through the game.

Starter Ali Arnold pitched only one inning, surrendering one walk and no strikeout before being substituted by Sheree Cartwight who struck out two and walked two. New Zealand together allowed the rivals as many as 15 hits.

"It's a great start and I am very happy. It's a great team to win in this way," said Alison Bradley, Canadian outfielder.

"I am always happy with myself and I'd like to do everything I can to help my team as much as possible."

"We want to finish on the podium, but there are a lot of strong teams, like U.S. and Japan. We have a long way to go."

The 11th Women's World Softball Championship is the first Olympic test event in Beijing with 16 teams competing in two pools, which will produce four spots (excluding China, the host) to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Source: Xinhua