This time, pitcher Lisa Fernandez saw her teammates come through, and the United States softball team beat China 1-0 in 10 innings Monday night to move into the Olympic gold medal game.
Sheila Cornell hit a one-out, bases-loaded single and the Americans had their second straight thrilling victory over the Chinese. Three days ago, Cornell hit a game-winning, two-run homer in a 3-2 win against China.Four days ago, Fernandez saw her bid for a perfect game end when Australia's first hit, a two-out, two-run homer by Joanne Brown, gave the Aussies a 2-1, 10-inning win Friday and handed the Americans their first loss in the Olympics and second in 111 games.
But Fernandez had another strong game Monday night, allowing three hits and striking out 13.
After two extra innings, the rules state a team starts the 10th with a runner on second. The Chinese were unable to score, with Fernandez striking out Xu Jian to end the inning.
In the bottom of the inning, Dot Richardson started on second, Julie Smith was hit by a pitch by Wang Lihong before the next batter grounded to short, but the throw to third hit Richardson in the back and the bases were loaded.
After Kim Maher struck out, Cornell worked the count to 3-1 before singling up the middle to score Richardson.
Cornell took two steps, broke into a wide grin and raised both arms in triumph. Richardson scored and then joined the rest of the Americans in a race to first base, where they mobbed Cornell.
The loss did not eliminate China from reaching the gold medal game.
Today China plays Australia with the winner playing the Americans in the gold medal game later tonight.
The overflow crowd of 8,729 at Golden Park included International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.