The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : U.S. blanks China

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

Sport

Sport - Olympic Games

U.S. blanks China

ATHENS, AUG. 17. The U.S. softball team posted its fourth straight shutout of the Olympics on Tuesday, defeating China 4-0.

Lori Harrigan struck out eight as the U.S. women — seeking their third straight gold medal — stretched their winning streak to 74 games, coasting past a team considered to be a medal contender.

She only allowed two baserunners with the second straight dominant performance by a U.S. pitcher. On Monday, Cat Osterman pitched a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts as the Americans beat Japan 3-0 in eight innings.

The Americans also have shut out Italy and Australia in the tournament. But shutouts are nothing new to the Americans. Since softball joined the Olympics in 1996, the United States has recorded 14 shutouts in 23 games.

At Sydney four year ago, Harrigan — a three-time Olympian — became the first pitcher to throw a solo no-hitter, blanking Canada in a 6-0 victory. For the third time in four games, the Americans scored in the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead off starter Lu Wei.

Natasha Watley reached on shortstop Wei Qiang's error leading off, and Lisa Fernandez walked on four pitches with two outs. Jenny Topping also walked, and Jung, whose walk after a 17-pitch at-bat keyed Tuesday's win over Japan, dropped a two-run single into shallow left-centre.

The U.S. tacked on a run in the second — again with two outs. — AP

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