Softball: Testing time for White Sox after good win

By CHRIS RATTUE

New Zealand clung to their hopes of a softball medal with a seventh innings batting blitz to beat Cuba 6-2.

Their chances of making the top four appear slim after they were belted 10-0 by China.

They had a narrow opening match loss to Australia, and have beaten Canada.

But at least they are still in the game. A loss on Wednesday would have wrecked their Olympic hopes.

Melisa Upu batted in two runs, and Gina Weber and Jaye Bailey one each, in the top of the seventh innings to break a 2-all deadlock.

Japan's surprise victory over the United States has probably made New Zealand's run even tougher, as the Japanese were expected to be one of the teams battling for third and fourth spot behind the Americans and Australians.

Coach Mike Walsh said New Zealand may have to win all their remaining games, against Italy, the United States and Japan, to make the playoffs.

"We're in comeback mode and every game is important to us to have a chance, albeit maybe a small chance," Walsh said.

"You could probably get there with three losses but you would be depending on other results."

The match against Cuba was played in front of a packed house at the 8500-capacity Blacktown softball ground, the big crowd drawn to the following game between Australia and Japan.

New Zealand started with left-handed pitcher Fiona Timu, used Ruta Lealamanua for two batters while Weber warmed up, then Weber finished off the game.

New Zealand piled on 13 hits, with Jackie Smith getting three, and Rhonda Hira, Melisa Upu and Melanie Hulme two each. Hira got on base in all four turns at bat.

New Zealand led 2-0 after four, but Cuba replied with two in the next including a home run to Vilma Alvarez, when Upu had the ball in her glove but crashed into the fence spilling it over.

A superb diving catch from Hulme in left field in the bottom of the seventh got rid of Cuba's first batter, and Weber went on to protect the lead.

Meanwhile, Upu said the support of friends and family from home and New Zealanders living in Sydney had helped lift the side.

"We've played in front of big crowds at the world series, which for me was too overwhelming, but when you've got the home support it is good," she said.