Chinese women's softballers failed to rank the second place despite winning 4-2 over Canada in an international fast pitch tournament in Beijing on Friday.

 

After five games, the meet between China and Canada on Friday evening was the last for both teams in the double round robin tournament that started on Tuesday.

 

The Chinese need to win Canadian with three runs more to achieve the second place in the team rank after all preliminary games and they nearly did it.

 

In the first four innings, China made a lead of 4-0 against the opponent, forcing Canada to change several pitchers to avoid surrendering more runs.

 

Chinese starting pitcher Li Qi threw a scoreless game until the seventh inning when she got a little bit tired and Canadian softballers just grasped the only chance to make two vital runs.

 

After the last game of the tournament's preliminary rounds, both China and Canada achieved three wins and three losses. However, China surrendered a 5-2 to Canada in their first meet, the 4-2 win made China still one run less than Canada.

 

Ranking the third place, China will meet Chinese Taipei in the semifinal on Saturday and will challenge the winner between Canada and Australia for the final if defeating Chinese Taipei.

 

In previously played games on Friday, Australia beat Canada 3-0 and Chinese Taipei played a hitless 7-0 with Australia who will meet Canada in another semifinal on Saturday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2007)