AUSSIE WOMEN COME PAINFULLY CLOSE TO MEDALS

The Australian Women’s baseball team again fell painfully short of fulfilling their 2008 World Cup goal by finishing in fourth place after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the United States.

In a result that mirrored both their 2004 and 2006 performances, the Aussie women were bitterly close to winning their first World Cup medal; stranding the potential  winning run on base in the top half of the final frame.

Simone Wearne was saddled with the loss despite allowing just one earned run in a remarkable complete game effort – her 2^nd complete game in three starts spanning just five days.

The Australian offence was stifled by US starter Martina Sementelli who fired 6-shutout innings before finally offering the Aussie hitters a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the 7th.

After Laura Neads’ pinch-hit RBI single plated Julia Fellows narrowing the gap to one, Australia looked primed for an upset victory with one out and runners at the corners.

But a failed squeeze attempt led to an improbable double play and the agonising end to an otherwise stellar performance by the Aussie women.

Standouts for Australia included; Wearne (16.0 IP, 2.81 ERA), Kimberley Schulte (1-0, 2.45 ERA, 4K), Katie Gaynor (.400 AVG, 3 2B, 6 RBI) and Shae Lillywhite (.400 AVG, 6 R, .650 SLG).

Catford who led or tied for the team lead in Batting Average (.471), hits (8), extra base hits (4) and RBIs (7), is one of 8 players on the 2008 squad that were also members of the inaugural Australian World Cup team that finished 4^th in Canada in 2004.