Defending champions the United States (6-0) beat hosts China (5-1) 2-0 to reach the top of Pool A, while Japan (6-0) ousted Australia (5-1) to top Pool B for playoffs Friday at women's softball worlds, the first Olympic test event in Beijing.

U.S. ace pitcher Catherine Osterman stuck out nine of Chinese players to molten rivals offense. She melted down China's opportunities to score a few times after the third base loaded by powerful and deceptive pitching.

The United States took the advantage of Chinese catcher's error to run Caitlin Lowe home after she hit the first single of the match.

Lu Yi hit a cheer-lifting triple to start China's scoring effort to end up with two strikeouts by robust Osterman, who fielded off three Chinese batters by striking in the third.

China took all kinds of strategies to break through, but all failed to function over weak hit and powerless throw in face of the defending champions.

Lu Wei relieved starter Li Qi to pitch in the sixth inning, but she failed to pave China the way to home by giving up one hit, one run.

Stacey Nuveman hit a double before being replaced by quick runner Jessica Mendoza in the second base, then Andrea Duran hit a single to drive Jessica Mendoza home to seal the final victory for the United States in the hard-fighting collision.

China's starting pitcher Li Qi struck out four and allowed two walks and one run and her reliever Lu Wei surrendered two hits, taking only one strikeout.

"It's a high-level match. China got a strong defense to reduce our chances to score. We should have more opportunities to make marks," U.S. coach Mike Candrea said.

"I have high expectations on my team, so each game we are in, we are playing for a win," he said.

Japan and Australian shared a record of five wins out of five games to rival for the top spot in Pool B. Both teams built up strong defense to force the game into international tiebreaker after seven scoreless innings, which saw each team starting with a runner on the second base.

Amanda Doman was put on second base to start the top eighth, and Australia successfully brought her home to move forward at 1-0.

However their lead was short-lived as Japan came up with a single by Emi Naito to send Megu Hirose home. Afterwards, Eri Yamada ran home from second base over Sachilko Ito's single in the bottom of the ninth, sealing Japan a victory at 2-1 to clinch the top of Pool B.

Japanese starter Yukiko Ueno pitched all through the game, striking out nine with three hits and one run.

Australian starter Melanie Roche also cast a complete game, dropping five hits and two runs with five strikeouts.

Japan has ensured the top spot with a six-game winning streak consisted of six field wins and one automatic triumph over Colombia's abandonment.

"It is just the time that the real battle is going to start. I will do my best," Sachiko Ito, Japan Infielder, said on playoff matches.

"Everybody was doing their best, and so was I. I concentrated myself to hold the Australians scoreless," Japan pitcher Yukiko Ueno said.

In other games, Canada shut out South Africa 12-0; Britain upset New Zealand 2-1; Italy edged out DPR Korea 1-0; Chinese Taipei crushed Botswana 11-0; Venezuela defeated Greece 3-1; The Netherlands awarded a 7-0 win over abandoned Colombia.

The World Softball Championship is the first Olympic test event in Beijing with 16 teams competing in two pools, which will produce four spots (excluding China, the host) participating in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Source: Xinhua