China (5-0) swamped South Africa (0-5) 12-0 to set up a match against defending champions United States, who blanked New Zealand 15-0 Thursday at women's softball worlds.

China established a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Lu Yi singled to drive Yu Yanhong home and Zhou Yi touched home plate over South Africa catcher's error.

China batted four hits off South African weak pitchers in the second inning to clinch three runs. Li Chunxia doubled to drive Zhou Yi home and Lu Yi singled to send Yu Yanhong and Li Chunxia home.

After a scoreless third inning, China surged up in the fourth to grab seven runs. Lu Yi sent Yanhong and Li Chunxia home by her double.

Wu Di walked off Tilla Nel after being hit by pitch ball to have China all base loaded. Lu Yi then scored on Sun Li's single, which opened another four runs string for China.

Ding Hong singled to drive Jiang Xin and Zhang Lifang home and Sun Li ran home in spite of a double play by South Africa. Zhou Yi got the last run for China on Yu Yanhong's double hit.

Zhou Yin, the youngest pitcher of China pitched whole game, giving up one hit with no run and no walk against 13 hits, five walks and two errors by South Africa, who shifted pitchers after each inning.

"Today's game was still important. South Africa was not a strong opponent, but I told my team to play to their level. I'm pretty proud of how we played," said China coach Michael Bastian.

"Zhou Yin has a very bright future as a pitcher in Chinese softball team. I tried to pick a good spot to give her room to fail as a young pitcher. Today's game is a perfect opportunity for her to pitch. I will try to give her more opportunities in the Championship."

The United States imposed a 15-0 shutout of New Zealand speaking loud of defending their title in the tournament.

The United States started strong to score four runs by taking the advantage of New Zealand's three defense errors.

Stacey Nuveman hit two homers in the second and third to help the defending champions collect four points, frustrating their rivals of confidence to bound back.

Seven runs in the third inning capped the victory for United States with the game closed in the fourth. Jessica Mendoza drove Laura Berg and Lovie Jung home before she run on Crystl Bustos' double. Nuveman hit her second homer to add two points followed by another two runs from Andrea Duran and Jennis Finch.

U.S. starter Monica Abbott tossed the game to strike out four and allow three hits and one walk. New Zealand gave up five errors all through the game, surrendering six walks and fourteen hits with only one strikeout from three pitchers.

"I played 2 1/2 innings today, not because I was tired. It's because the coach tried to get everybody in the play," Jennie Finch, first base defender of the United States.

"Absolutely, I think tomorrow will be a very exciting game. The stadium will be full. There will be a lot of people cheering for China. But we just came here for the big games and the good teams. So we are looking forward to playing with China tomorrow, " said US catcher Stacey Nuveman.

Japan crush Botswana 16-0 to create the biggest mark at women's softball worlds.

The Asian powerhouse took the match as a good exercise of team work. Every Japanese batter in the starting list scored and the lineup rotated four times in four innings, which was the fastest rotation in this tournament so far.

Botswana never managed to touch the second base during the lop-sided game with only one single and one touch of the first base on Japan's error when the shortstop and second base fielder bumped into each other. Marea Modutlwa got the only hit for Botswana in the first against starter Yuko Endo.

Japan got 16 hits to produce 16 runs with Eri Yamada and Aki Uenishi both scoring three runs.

Following the steps of China, the United States and Japan, Australia also nabbed their fifth win out of five matches by beating Venezuela 9-0.

In other four three games, Greece downed Netherlands 5-0, while Britain edged out DPR Korea 1-0. Chinese Taipei had a break day gathering seven points over the exit of Colombia.

There top four from the Championship will be qualified to play in Beijing Olympic Game, with hosts China an automatic qualification.

Source: Xinhua