Welcome to the Olympics! While the Opening Ceremonies don’t take place until Friday, Olympic action has already begun. The first day of softball has concluded and it certainly did not disappoint.
Japan 8- Australia 1
The home team came out and showed their offensive skill. Yukiko Ueno and Kaia Paranaby started on the mound for Japan and Australia respectively. At the end of the first inning, the teams were tied at one run and both looked to grab a lead. By the end of the third inning, one team emerged. Japan took a 3-1 lead and extended it by three runs after the fourth inning. In the final inning, Yu Yamamoto hit a home run and sealed the final score due to the mercy rule. Japan took the opening game of the Olympics by a score of 8-1.
United States 2- Italy 0
The next game of the day was a low-scoring match-up between Italy and the United States. Cat Osterman got the start for the USA and Italy went with Greta Cecchetti. The game had no score until the fourth inning when Michelle Moultrie singled to bring in Valarie Arioto to score. They continued into the fifth inning and Aubree Munro scored off a Janie Reed sacrifice fly. Italy held them to just two runs and the game ended in a 2-0 USA victory.
Canada 4- Mexico 0
The final game of the opening day was between Canada and Mexico. The starting pitcher for Canada was Sara Groenewegen and for Mexico, Dallas Escobedo. Canada got out to an early lead with Kaleigh Rafter and Jenn Salling’s RBIs putting them up 2-0. Salling hit a home run in the third to give the team a three-run lead. Canada scored again in the fourth inning and the 4-0 score stuck through the end of the game.
Thursday will see three games. Canada and the United States will open the day followed by Mexico and Japan and then Italy and Australia will close it out. Be sure to come back to Unbenched for a recap on all the softball action.
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