Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Categories: News - General

Aussie softballers take world championship bronze

THE Australian softball team has claimed bronze at the world championship in Yukon, Canada.

After impressive wins against China and Canada, the Aussie Spirit played off against eventual world title winner Japan for a place in the final against the US, but was beaten 2-0 to finish third.

It was dramatic move up the rankings for the Aussie Spirit, having finished sixth at the 2010 championship in Venezuela.

Aussie Spirit coach Kere Johanson was full of praise for his team, which was still in the game against Japan, with loaded bases at the bottom of seventh and facing the world’s top pitcher, Yukiko Ueno.

 “(We’ve) been on tour for the past month, and it has been a terrific journey,” Johanson said.

 “To see the players be the best of friends on an off the field and achieve success is great.

“My biggest satisfaction with this team is to see how this journey has developed them as people. All the coaching staff have been rewarded by seeing these athletes become better people all the while playing great softball.”

Japan beat the US 2-1 in the gold medal game – played on the same day it beat the Aussie Spirit – which was decided in 10 innings, with Ueno pitching in all 17 innings across both games.

It was Japan’s second world championship victory. It won its first in 1970 when it hosted the world title in Osaka.

Picture: SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA

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