Defending champions the United States handed China their first loss at the ISF Women's Softball World Championships with a 2-0 victory on Friday.

Cheered by a packed stadium, the home team tried hard to hold off the mighty United States during the nearly two-hour game, but squandered two crucial defence mistakes in the sixth inning.

The United States then topped the Pool A with six wins in a row followed by China at 5-1. Canada, also at 5-1, came in third due to a run scored. Starter Catherine Osterman tossed a complete game, holding China to just two hits and nine strikeouts.

"I am very proud with the way we played tonight, but I am disappointed that we lost," said China's American head coach Michael Bastian.

The visiting softball team, arguably the best in the world, triumphed on what was otherwise a disastrous sporting day for the United States. In Moscow, their under-20 women's football team was stopped by China in the semi-finals of the world championships. Later, their men's senior basketball team was upset by Greece in another world championship in Japan.

At the softball championships, the US team pushed the Chinese right from the start, in particular starting pitcher Li Qi.

But their efforts paid off as Chinese catcher Lu Yi failed to stop a wild pitch from Li and allowed Caitlin Lowe to run home.

The ball then hit hard on the fence behind the batter box, breaking a protective glass shield on the fence.

"That's very interesting because the glass is supposed to be unbreakable. I have never seen it before in my life," teased Bastian. "That was a crazy play."

The game was interrupted for about 10 minutes due to the accident. However, the tension was eased a little bit as the spectators started a Mexican wave during the break.

Li soon recovered and displayed good pitching in the rest of her play in five and one-third innings. She allowed three hits, one walk and five strikeouts. Lu Wei closed the game with one hit and one strikeout.

The defence error cost China another run in the six when Yu Yanhong failed to catch a pass from the third base, allowing Jessica Mendoza to reach the third base before scoring on Andrea Duran's centre field single.

Chinese chances came when Lu tripled in the bottom of the second and Jiang Xin ran on third in the bottom of the fifth. However, both of them finally were left on base.

Coach Bastian praised his pitchers who allowed only four hits from the traditionally big-hitting Americans.

"Li Qi pitched one of the best games she played for the national team. Her and Lu Wei did a great job tonight."

The pitcher was satisfied despite the loss.

"Although the final result is not pleasing, I think I held my nerves and played really well," said Li.

China have only defeated the US team once in major international competitions in six years. Friday's tight game was enough to please coach Bastian.

"To lose to the United States with 2-0 score, this is nothing to be embarrassed about.

"They played the best team in the world, head-to-head today and held them to four hits.

"Overall it's a very good play."

His counterpart agreed.

"It's a very fast pitch game at the highest level as we expected," said US Head Coach Mike Candrea.

Source: China Daily