Patrick Murphy and Team Canada Upset Japan
8/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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University of Alabama head softball coach and the Canadian national team pulled off one of the biggest upsets so far in Olympic softball competition when they defeated Japan, who is currently the second ranked team in the world behind the United States, 1-0 in eight innings.
With a scoreless game, Canada and Japan went into extra innings using the international tie breaking rule which places the last out from the previous inning at 2nd base. British Columbia's Jackie Lance was placed at 2nd. Alison Bradley sacrificed Lance to 3rd. First baseman Erin White then stepped up to the plate and singled to right field scoring Lance and putting Canada on the board. In the bottom of the 8th, Japan sacrificed their runner to third. However, Lauren Bay struck out the next two batters to retire the side.
Next up for the Canadians is top-ranked and undefeated Team USA. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17 at 9:00 a.m. CT and will be televised live on MSNBC.
Team USA Defeats China 4-0
A perfect 4-0 in Olympic competition, the USA Softball Olympic team continued to roll along in round-robin play with a 4-0 victory over 1996 silver medalist China.
Former Crimson Tide All-America Kelly Kretschman saw limited action, appearing as a pinch runner late in the game.
USA will take on Team Canada on Wednesday, August 17, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. CT and will be televised live on MSNBC. The game also represents a match-up between Kretschman and current Alabama head softball coach Patrick Murphy.
