Chinese women's softballers failed to rank the second place
despite winning 4-2 over Canada in an international fast pitch
tournament in Beijing on Friday.
After five games, the meet between China and Canada on Friday
evening was the last for both teams in the double round robin
tournament that started on Tuesday.
The Chinese need to win Canadian with three runs more to achieve
the second place in the team rank after all preliminary games and
they nearly did it.
In the first four innings, China made a lead of 4-0 against the
opponent, forcing Canada to change several pitchers to avoid
surrendering more runs.
Chinese starting pitcher Li Qi threw a scoreless game until the
seventh inning when she got a little bit tired and Canadian
softballers just grasped the only chance to make two vital
runs.
After the last game of the tournament's preliminary rounds, both
China and Canada achieved three wins and three losses. However,
China surrendered a 5-2 to Canada in their first meet, the 4-2 win
made China still one run less than Canada.
Ranking the third place, China will meet Chinese Taipei in the
semifinal on Saturday and will challenge the winner between Canada
and Australia for the final if defeating Chinese Taipei.
In previously played games on Friday, Australia beat Canada 3-0
and Chinese Taipei played a hitless 7-0 with Australia who will
meet Canada in another semifinal on Saturday.
(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2007)