AUSSIES TO PLAY OFF FOR BRONZE

Australia’s run toward World Cup Gold came to an end after going down 10-1, in a near perfect performance by tournament favourites Japan, on Day 4 of the 2008 Women’s World Cup in Matsuyama.

The Japanese were relentless as they punched out 15 hits and scored at least one run in every inning to stand alone as the tournament’s only remaining undefeated team.

For the Aussies it may have been a case of “too much too soon” as they attempted to bring back starting pitcher Simone Wearne on just one day’s rest after her complete game shutout against Chinese Taipei Monday.

Wearne was touched for 5 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits during her 3 innings of work – a commendable performance against a Japanese line-up that boasts 5 of the tournaments top 10 hitters.

Supported well by relievers Kelly Manzie-Novotny and Laura Neads, the Aussies suffered not only at the hands of the powerful Japanese bats, but their own defensive miscues – committing four uncharacteristic errors on the day.

On offence the Australian sluggers were mostly kept at bay by 20-year-old Japanese “phenom” Miku Kayano, who scattered 7 hits while allowing just one Aussie run to cross the plate.

That run came off the white-hot bat of right-fielder Angela Catford, who finished the day going 3-4 with a double - raising her average to an astonishing .636 along the way.

Five other Australian sluggers managed at least one hit (Lillywhite, Kreppold, Hamilton Straumeitis and Vella) however it was never going to be enough against a Japanese outfit that continues to dominate the World Cup in all aspects of the game.

The loss sees Australia’s record drop to 2-2, which now limits them to a place in the Bronze medal game on Friday thanks to Canada’s upset 7-6 victory over the USA.

IBAF Tie-breaker rules mean that even with a victory against Canada in their final qualifying game, Australia can not advance to the Gold Medal match-up due to runs already allowed between the potentially tied teams (USA, Canada & Australia).