China Blanks S. Korea, Japan Beats Philippines in Softball

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 01, 2002

China Blanks S. Korea, Japan Beats Philippines in Softball

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Zhang Chunfang broke a scoreless tie with a single up the middle Tuesday as China scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 3-0 victory over host South Korea in the Asian Games softball tournament.

South Korean starter Kim Jik-mi, who yielded only one hit at Gudeok Baseball Stadium, was taken out after giving up an infield single with one out in the sixth. Reliever Park Young-soon then gave up a two-out single to Zhang that started the China rally.

Tao Hua and Deng Xiaoyan followed with back-to-back RBI doubles off Park to give China a three-run lead heading into the final frame.

China starter Zhang Lixia walked the first batter in the top ofthe seventh and was relieved by Zhang Yanqing. Zhang loaded the bases before recording the final out to give the defending champion their first win of the six-team tournament.

In other games, Juri Takayama and Yukiko Ueno combined for a two-hitter as Japan cruised to a 9-0 victory over the Philippines,and Kim Song Chun went the distance while giving up one run as theDemocratic People's Republic of Korea upset heavily favored Chinese Taipei 2-1 in Tuesday's early game.

Noriko Yamaji went 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in five runs, to lead Japan's attack. Yamaji drove in a pair of runs with a single in the third inning,singled in another run in the fifth and belted a clutch double in the sixth that scored two more runs to give the Olympic silver medalist a 9-0 lead.

Japan defeated DPR Korea 1-0 in their opening game Monday. DPR Korea will meet next China on Wednesday while Chinese Taipei takes on the Philippines in the other first-round game.

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