Chelsea Thomas has picked up a save in each of Team USA's contests to start the World CupChelsea Thomas has picked up a save in each of Team USA's contests to start the World Cup
Softball

Team USA Edges Australia, 5-2

July 22, 2011

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Team USA improved to 2-0 at the World Cup of Softball VI on Friday night, pulling out a 5-2 victory over upset-minded Australia. The Australians outhit the United States by a 9-to-7 margin, but Team USA's pitchers combined for nine strikeouts compared to Australia's four.

With the two teams scoreless after three-and-a-half innings, Missouri's three-time All-American Rhea Taylor was once again the igniter for the USA offense. One night after driving home the first two runs with a triple, Taylor would score the first run of this game after dropping down a perfect bunt in front of the plate and legging it out for a single. After swiping second base, Taylor would come home and score on a base hit by Stacy May-Johnson to make it 1-0. The United States would add another run in the frame to go ahead 2-0.

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Australia fought back to tie it with a run in the fifth and a run in the sixth, but the United States regained the lead with a three-spot in their half of the sixth inning, aided by a one-out fielding error. After a ground out and an intentional walk, Valerie Arioto plated two runs with a triple into left field, putting the U.S. up 4-2. A single by Taylor Hoagland scored Arioto and made it 5-2 heading to the final frame.

In the seventh, the first two Australian batters were retired fairly quickly, but they worked their way back into the game by taking a full count walk and picking up a base hit, bringing the tying run up to the plate. Mizzou's Chelsea Thomas was then brought on to record the final out, which she did by striking out Australia's Chelsea Forkin on four pitches to earn her second save in as many days.

The United States will play a pair of games on Saturday, beginning at Noon CT with a matchup against Canada (2-1). The game will air on ESPN on tape delay beginning at 1 p.m. Thomas is expected to start in the circle for Team USA in that contest. Later that evening, the U.S. will go up against Japan beginning at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.