Post by Taxigirl on Aug 23, 2004 17:41:55 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/softball/3591762.stm
The United States thumped Australia 5-1 to ease to their third successive gold medal in softball on Monday.
Lisa Fernandez pitched a four-hitter and Crystl Bustos homered twice as the American side beat their opponents for the third time in a week.
But Australia gained some consolation by ending the defending champions' shut-out streak during the tournament as well as sealing the silver medal.
Japan settled for the bronze in the eight-nation competition.
But it was the United States who remained the true powerhouses of Olympic softball, finishing unbeaten in nine games in Athens and outscoring the field 51-1.
The only blemish was missing out on a tournament-long shut-out by just four outs as the pitchers gave up their first run in 54 2-3 innings.
But they still completed a comfortable three-game sweep of the silver medallists, who earlier lost to the United States 10-0 in a preliminary match and 5-0 in the medal round.
The United States thumped Australia 5-1 to ease to their third successive gold medal in softball on Monday.
Lisa Fernandez pitched a four-hitter and Crystl Bustos homered twice as the American side beat their opponents for the third time in a week.
But Australia gained some consolation by ending the defending champions' shut-out streak during the tournament as well as sealing the silver medal.
Japan settled for the bronze in the eight-nation competition.
But it was the United States who remained the true powerhouses of Olympic softball, finishing unbeaten in nine games in Athens and outscoring the field 51-1.
The only blemish was missing out on a tournament-long shut-out by just four outs as the pitchers gave up their first run in 54 2-3 innings.
But they still completed a comfortable three-game sweep of the silver medallists, who earlier lost to the United States 10-0 in a preliminary match and 5-0 in the medal round.