Italy stuns China in softball, 7-5
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-16 07:32

Jennifer Spediacci, a Californian and former All-American at Washington, pitched a shutout into the fifth inning Sunday, and Italy hung on for a stunning 7-5 victory over China, one of the medal favorites.

Italy starting pitcher Jennifer Spediacci throws against China Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Staked to a 6-0 lead in the second inning, Spediacci allowed just two hits through four innings before China, silver medal winners in 1996, rallied with a five-run fifth.

China won its opener over Greece 5-0 Saturday.

In another game, Hiroko Sakai pitched a two-hitter to lead Japan past Taiwan 6-0. Noriko Yamaji had three hits as Japan bounced back from a shaky debut, a 4-2 loss to Australia on Saturday. The Japanese scored four runs in the second inning — three with two outs — when Taiwan made three errors.

The United States, coming off a resounding 7-0 win over Italy in its debut, plays Australia at 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. EDT). The Americans are seeking their third straight gold medal.