OKLAHOMA CITY — Ashley Hansen clubbed a grand slam and Jennie Finch threw a two-hit shutout as the U.S. advanced to the World Cup of Softball championship game with a 8-0 win against Australia on Sunday.
Hansen broke open the game in the third inning with her first home run as a member of the national team.
Australian starter Aimee Murch (1-2) had already forced in runs by hitting Alissa Haber and then walking Andrea Duran before Hansen pulled a 1-1 pitch from reliever Kaia Parnaby just over the fence in right field for a 7-0 U.S. lead.
Haber, a teammate of Hansen's at Stanford, added a solo shot as the Americans (5-0) completed a perfect run through round-robin play.
Australia (2-2), the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, still has a shot at advancing to the championship game, but needs to beat Italy (0-4) later Sunday and get help. Canada (2-1) and Beijing Games gold medalist Japan (2-2) are also in the running.
Despite having 10 rookies on the roster, the United States has hardly been challenged so far at the World Cup. The Americans have outscored opponents 48-3 and won three of their five games by the mercy rule.
The game against Australia was called after five innings.
Finch (2-0) struck out eight and allowed only two singles in her second spotless outing at the World Cup, where U.S. pitchers have yet to allow an earned run.