Good start by China softballers

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 9

Good start by China softballers

PA Auckland Inspired batting by Shi Minyue and Li Hong gave China a great start in its warm-up for Saturday’s opening games in the world women’s softball series, as it beat Counties, 11-0, at Papakura on Monday evening. But there was little joy across town as Australia beat Ramblers, 2-1 in the last innings, and then had to rely on two huge errors by United to win, 4-1, after the Canadian pitcher, Laura Houie, had pinned them down to two hits by Kathy Watts and Jenny Lisle. The Chinese not only hit well, but aimed for the gaps and hit away from the runners to put increasing pressure on the Counties’ fielders. China started with two runs in the first innings off Tuhi Cooper before she was replaced in the third by Lucille Flay. Two outfield errors, one of them with the bases loaded, cost Counties heavily. Shi hit a home run jover centre field and Li stretched a triple into a home run, aided by an error. Seven runs came from the innings. Sue Manuels pitched the last two innings, giving up two more runs. | China slso used three pitchers to give each a chance to warm up on the field. The star was Li Nianmin, aged 28, a sling-shot pitcher, who may start a new pitching style here during the series. She was here in 1982, along with five others in the squad. Liu Xuqing, the second base, aged 18, was a sensation. She made an amazing catch deep in right field behind first base, then sprung high to take a fin-ger-tip catch in the last innings. The matches left a question mark over the pitching strength of China. There must be even

greater doubts about Australia.

Ramblers’ Gaye Ledingham walked Donna Meuli, to allow Leanne Chote a 31e walk-home run in its match before the visitors recovered, when June Fairlie hit a triple to start the last innings , and was hit home by Janne Stevens. Jenny Lisle took over the Australian pitching to end the Ramblers’ match and started the United game later. The United batters made it a very slow game by waiting out Lisle’s pitching. She conceded five walks, two in the first and three in the fourth when United scrambled a run home. Vicki Burring appeared to have been forced out at home but was called safe.