Softball: Japan start in style

6.00pm

Second seeds Japan made a winning start to their world softball championship campaign in Christchurch today.

Japan, who lost to New Zealand in the 2000 final in South Africa, scored a 9-2 win over Great Britain in their tournament opener, out-hitting their opponents by 10-5.

They did most of their scoring in the second and third inning, with right fielder Shigeyuki Nishida hitting four from four and Yasutoshi Yamasaki picking up two hits from two.

Australia also scored a win in their first game, but only just, as they edged out the Philippines 2-1.

Australia scored their two runs in the bottom of the second innings through safe hits by veteran Peter Clout, Joel Southam and Nathan Jones.

The Philippines replied in the top of the third with Manuel Bacarisas hitting a triple and scoring on a wild pitch.

That triple was the only hit given up by young Australian Andrew Kirkpatrick who faced 24 batters and took 17 strikeouts.

In the third game if the day the United States had a closer than expected run with Botswana, winning just 2-0.

New Zealand were playing South Africa at 5pm.

- NZPA