The Australian Emeralds, presented by Boral will advance to the Super-round of the Women’s Baseball World Cup off the back of a stellar pitching performance from 17 year-old Abbey Kelly.
Making her National Team debut, Kelly was not phased with the daunting prospect of starting against the number-two ranked team in the world, the USA.
With Kelly on the bump, the prospect ahead of the Emeralds was simple. Win by five or more runs or be eliminated from the tournament.
After a one-run first, Kelly would go on to throw the next 5.1 innings without conceding a base hit, leading the Aussies to a 10-2 win against their more fancied opponents, her final stat line reading: 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3BB.
The win is just the second time Australia has beaten the USA in World Cup Baseball.
Abbey wasn’t the only Victoria putting up big numbers with short stop Bronwyn Gell going 2 for 3 and knocking in a pair while right fielder Leslie Anglin went 2 for 4 in the win.
The Emeralds now have a rest day tomorrow (Tuesday) with the super round set to start on Wednesday.