GIJANG, S. Korea – A monster inning from the Australian Emeralds, presented by Boral lifted them over Hong Kong 13-0 at the LG Presents WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup 2016.
The Emeralds piled on six runs in the third, capped off by a two RBI single from Laura Neads. Olivia Bannon also nailed a ball to left field in her first world cup, driving in another two runs to extend the Emeralds lead to double digits.
Kim McMillan started on the mound for the Emeralds and threw strongly, getting ahead in counts and getting the Hong Kong hitters to swing at pitches. McMillan threw a complete game shutout, only allowing 4 hits and striking out seven in a dominant performance.
After conceding early runs yesterday against Chinese Taipei, the Emeralds came out swinging early, scoring a run in each of the first two innings.
Karina Connors and Kim McMillan made sure the third started well with back to back hits, before some errors, wild pitches and passed balls capped off by a massive two RBI single from Laura Neads extended Australia’s lead to eight. Some solid defence from Tammy McMillan in left field and quality pitching from Kim McMillan saw the Emeralds continue their momentum following the massive offensive inning.
Olivia Bannon claimed a pair of RBIs in the fourth, while back-to-back sac flies in the fifth from Kim McMillan and Morgan Doty extended Australia’s lead to 13.
At the Women’s World Cup, if a team leads by 10 runs or more after five complete innings, the game is over, and three strikeouts in the fifth and final inning from Kim McMillan sealed the deal for Australia.
Australia now face a stern test in the second ranked USA in tomorrow’s final pool game, which looms as a must win for Australia if they are to qualify for the super round. First pitch is at 1.30pm AEST.
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Australia
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Hong Kong
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