World No. 9 Australia recovered from an early deficit in the game to secure a spot in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals, to be opened in Buttrio and Castions di Strada, Italy, exactly one year from now. After beating No. 3 Chinese Taipei, the Aussies topped No. 16 Great Britain, 4-1, in the repechage to join USA in the Finals.
Great Britain took the lead in the first inning, when Tia Warsop scored on a wild pitch by Ellen Roberts. However, the veteran right hander settled up after that and kept the British team scoreless, giving her team a chance to recover in the game.
Recovery came in the top of the fifth inning, when Australia scored their four runs of the game. With two outs and a runner on first base, Taylah Tsitsikronis singled up the middle and Kylie Steemers was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
With the game on the line, Jade Wall drew a full-count walk to tie the game. Australia took the lead when Clare Warwick was also hit by a pitch, and then Steemers and Wall crossed the plate on a defensive error.
Ellen Roberts was magnificent, pitching the complete game with six strikeouts, while allowing four hits and one run. Georgina Corrick lost the game for the British, collecting 14 strikeouts.
USA and Australia secured their participation in next year’s Finals as the top two teams in Group A final standings, while Great Britain, third-place finisher, must wait until the end of the Group Stage to see if they move to the Finals as one of the wild cards.
