Aussie Spirit go down to Japan and USA
7 July 2012
Day 2 of the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship was always a day that Head Coach, Kere Johanson indicated that the Aussie Spirit would be put to the test as they were scheduled to face the top two teams in the World, Japan and USA.
Unfortunately for the Aussie Spirit team they were defeated by both teams, however there were some good performances for the Aussie Spirit players despite the final scoreline. When Johanson spoke with ESPN days earlier at the US World Cup he asked his plays to keep working hard together, back each other up and build on their performances. Today was no exception as the Aussie Spirt use every game as vital preparation for the World Championships.
Japan defeated Aussie Spirit 7-2
The Aussie Spirit girls got off to a great start against the World Number 2, Japan, taking a 2-0 lead at the bottom of the first inning. Leigh Godfrey put herself in scoring position early with a safe hit and successful steal to second, Brenda de Blaes forced a rare Japanese infield error, placing Godfrey at third and De Blaes at first, the 1-3 split and a play at second base saw Leigh Godfrey score Australia's first run. Team batting with back to back safe hits by Chelsea Forkin and Jodie Bowering scored Brenda de Blaes.
The Japanese girls quickly answered the challenge in the top of the second inning and capitalised on every opportunity the Aussie Spirit girls offered gaining three walks (one intentional), one error and seven safe hits resulted in Japan taking a commanding 7-2 lead.
The score didn’t change for the rest of the game. Leading the Aussie Spirit was Clare Warwick picking up two safe hits and Vanessa Stokes did a great job on the mound for the final five innings, only allowing four safe hits and recorded four strike outs.
Aussie Spirit and Japan finished the game with 8 hits each and a good defensive record in the field.
To view the play by play click here.
USA defeated Aussie Spirit 7-0
In their second match of the day, the Aussie Spirit allowed the USA lineup to create scoring opportunities from the outset of the game. Unfortunately for the Aussie Spirit, the USA capitalised on their opportunities scoring three runs in the first innings and putting the Aussie Spirit on the back foot.
Zara Mee shut the USA hitters down in the second innings after she replaced starting pitcher, Justine Smethurst. The Aussie Spirit used three pitchers in the game to try and shut the USA hitters down. Defensively the highlight of the game was the great diving catch by Shortstop, Clare Warwick in the 4th innings. A positive for the Aussie Spirit was another defensive error free game of softball. As in the US World Cup final, Leigh Godfrey picked up the only hit of the game for the Aussie Spirit, a double to leftfield in the third inning.
The USA finished the game under the international mercy rule, winning seven runs to nil in five innings.
To view the play by play click here.
Aussie Spirit is currently sitting 3rd on the competition ladder and will face Canada next game. Canada lost to Japan today in a close game.
