The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Shireman, Team USA top Australia 7-0 to remain undefeated
07.06.2013 | Softball
Americans score five runs in first inning, cruise to ISF X Junior Women's World Championship semifinals.
BRAMPTON, Ontario – Team USA opened up the playoff portion of the International Softball Federation X Junior Women's World Championship (JWWC) Friday and continued its winning ways, topping Australia 7-0 in five innings to advance to the JWWC semifinals. Jessica Plaza drove in three runs while Emily Crane, Mysha Sataraka and Sierra Romero each collected two hits and scored a run to lead the American offensive display. Texas rising sophomore Erin Shireman did not enter the contest.
In the circle, Cheridan Hawkins tossed four-and-a-third innings to earn the win and improve to 3-0 at the tournament. She allowed just one hit and fanned four before giving way to Paige McDuffee, who recorded the final two outs and surrendered a hit.
Team USA raced out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. After a Haylie McCleney walk opened the frame, Kelsey Stewart tripled to deliver McCleney. After a fly out, Sataraka drove in Stewart with a double and Romero followed with a triple that plated Sataraka for a 3-0 edge. A Plaza two-run home run gave the Americans a five-run lead.
Both teams went quietly until the bottom of the fourth, when the U.S. added another run to go ahead 6-0. Crane started the rally with a one-out single and moved to second on a Sataraka single. Romero singled to load the bases for Plaza, who hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Crane.
Team USA made it a 7-0 final in the bottom of the fifth as the game was ended due to the run rule. Sierra Lawrence reached on a leadoff walk, moved to second on an error and scored on a McCleney single.
The Americans face Japan at 4 p.m. CT Saturday in the semifinals of the JWWC.
2013 USA ISF X Junior Women's World Championship Schedule
(all times Central)
Monday, July 1 USA 10 Great Britain 0 (four innings)
Tuesday, July 2 USA 13 Czech Republic 0 (four innings)
Wednesday, July 3 USA 15 Puerto Rico 0 (three innings)
Wednesday, July 3 USA 4 Canada 0
Thursday, July 4 USA 10 Korea 0 (four innings)
Thursday, July 4 USA 7 New Zealand 0 (five innings)
Friday, July 5 USA 7 Australia 0 (five innings)
Saturday, July 6 USA vs. Japan – 4 p.m. CT
Sunday, July 7 Bronze Medal Game – 10 a.m. CT OR Gold Medal Game – 1 p.m. CT
