By Jeff Johncox
OKLAHOMA CITY — Things went from bad to worse in a hurry for Team China Saturday night.
The United States went through three Chinese pitchers in a 35-minute top of the first inning that put 10 runs on the board en route to a 14-0 run-rule victory at the World Cup of Softball.
Caitlin Lowe was 3-for-4 for the Americans (4-0) and scored two runs in the first inning as the U.S. jumped on top to stay.
“That’s what we’re capable of, and that’s what we want to do every time,” Team USA designated hitter Crystl Bustos said. “As long as we go out and play our game, play USA softball, we can do that. Things just fall into place.
“We want to come out of the gate scoring and let people know we’re ready to play.”
Bustos finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning that capped the Americans’ scoring.
Bustos and Lowe weren’t the only ones doing their job at the plate. Ten of the 11 batters the United States sent to the plate came away with hits and nine different Americans scored a run.
“Honestly, that’s the goal of this team,” left fielder Jessica Mendoza said. “Coach (Mike) Candrea always tells us that we need everyone involved, have everyone hitting. We don’t just want two or three people, like most teams have. We need to have all 17 players involved.”
Tennessee’s Monica Abbott picked up her second victory of the tournament, giving up one hit and striking out four in three innings. Jennie Finch entered the game in the fourth inning to a standing ovation from the standing-room only crowd at ASA Hall of Fame stadium and finished off the Chinese, allowing one hit and striking out three in two innings.
“You can’t overlook any team,” Abbott said. “We wear the red, white and blue, and we have this huge target on our backs. You have to make sure you’re ready for anything.
“It’s nice to get 10 runs from your offense (before you take the mound), but you have to pitch it the same whether you get 10 runs or one run.”
Team USA has now outscored opponents 43-1 in the tournament, and U.S. pitchers have allowed just 11 hits. The American offense has produced 49 hits in four games.
“We have supreme confidence in our pitching staff,” Bustos said. “They’re strong and very deep, and we know we can go to anyone in the bullpen and they will get the job done.”
In the day’s earlier game, a 9-0 victory over Australia, Finch got a chance to bat, pinch-hitting into a double play.
Abbott shot down any hints that maybe she’d get to the plate for Team USA sometime in the series as well.
“I’m not much of a hitter,” she said, laughing. “I was a long time ago, but I think our offense is doing just fine without having me go to the plate.”
Team USA meets defending World Cup champion Japan at noon today.
The Japanese upset the host team in last year’s championship game.
“Japan is definitely a tough and talented team,” Abbott said. “We’re really focused on them.”
The Americans have been waiting for the game for a long time.
“We’ve been looking forward to it,” Mendoza said. “I’ve forgotten about last year. It won’t happen again. Now we just have to erase it from everyone else’s minds.”
Jeff Johncox366-3535jjohncox@normantranscript.com
