US overpowers the Netherlands 8-0 in softball

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer

BEIJING (AP)—Under the lights, the U.S. softball team kept its golden glow.

The Americans, playing at night for the first time since coming to China, hammered three more home runs and remained on track to win a fourth straight Olympic title with an 8-0 win over the Netherlands on Sunday.

Monica Abbott pitched five perfect innings and Crystl Bustos, Jessica Mendoza and Tairia Flowers homered as the too-good-to-be-true U.S. (6-0) squad extended its Olympic winning streak to 20.

After noon starts in their first five games, the Americans had to wait around in the athlete’s village before climbing on the bus and heading to Fengtai Field for a 7:30 p.m. start. They didn’t mind.

“We’re a nighttime team,” Bustos said. “That’s when we shine, when the lights are on us.”

Before the tournament began, the Americans figured to have a tougher time grabbing gold in Beijing than they did four years ago in Athens when they were in a league of their own.

Verder lezen – Yahoo Sports