Olympics-Softball-U.S. unbeaten as Australia, Mexico gold chances grow slim

The United States and Canada moved closer to a softball gold at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday after rivals Mexico and Australia stumbled to losses with fielding errors and bungled opportunities to score. Canada coach Mark Smith called Caira's specialty pitch "the great equalizer". Saturday's games are being held at a cleaned-up 43-year-old downtown stadium.

The United States and Canada moved closer to a softball gold at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday after rivals Mexico and Australia stumbled to losses with fielding errors and bungled opportunities to score. The United States defeated Mexico 2-0 and Canada piled on Australia 7-1.

U.S. pitcher Cat Osterman largely controlled Mexico's bats as "Vamos, vamos!" chants pierced through an empty stadium, matched by cries of "Let's go, let's go!" from her team mates. The 1.88-m Houston native, wearing long sleeves and no visor in 32 degree Celsius heat, took shade by a fan half her height between six innings of striking out Mexican Americans who had failed to make the U.S squad.

Two runs scored on a fumble by Mexico's centre fielder Nicole Rangel made all the difference in the game. Earlier, Canada had taken advantage of a pair of throwing errors in its win against Australia.

The United States are 3-0, Canada 2-1, Australia 1-2 and Mexico 0-3 in a round-robin tournament that will end with two medal games on Tuesday. A victory by undefeated Japan over winless Italy under the lights later Saturday would eliminate the Italians and Mexico from gold contention.

Australia captain Stacey Porter expressed worries that their loss also dashed chances of reaching the gold-medal game. "We just needed that timely hit and didn't get it," she said.

Although Canadian starter Sara Groenewegen struggled, she and reliever Jenna Caira armed with a change-up pitch left six Australians stranded over the first two innings. Australia's offensive failings left one of their coaches tossing his arms over his shaking head. Canada coach Mark Smith called Caira's specialty pitch "the great equalizer".

Saturday's games are being held at a cleaned-up 43-year-old downtown stadium. But with barely two dozen people sitting in an ocean of 34,000 bright-to-dark blue seats due to COVID-19 restrictions, the only lines at the stadium occurred when the players stood for their national anthems.

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