US, China win World Softball Junior Championship openers

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 14, 2003

US, China win World Softball Junior Championship openers

United States and China won their respective openers of the 2003 ISF World Softball Junior Women's World Championship here on Monday.

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United States and China won their respective openers of the 2003 ISF World Softball Junior Women's World Championship here on Monday.

The United States, runner-up of the 1999 Championship, claimed the victory over the Netherlands with a large margin of 8-1.

The Americans, who won the title in 1995 in Illinois, took advantage shortly after the game began, scoring two points in the first inning, and locked the win after Caitlin Leigh Benyi scored a one-point home run in the fourth inning.

Host China also claimed its first win in the tournament, beating the Philippines 7-0. "Most of my players are students," said Roberto Ituralde, head coach of the Philippines, "but they didn't play well today. Compared with China, my team lacks experiences."

"We have no aims in the Championship, but let's see what happens tomorrow," said Roberto, whose team will play South Korea.

China never gave any scoring chance to the Philippines, but head coach Liu Yaming said China didn't play well.

"My girls were very nervous in our debut in the Championship," said Liu, "But they played much better after the first two innings."

Liu said China was aiming a medal in the nine-day tournament.

"We have a home advantage and my players are the top ones in the world. I think we will grasp a medal in the Championship, but I can't estimate what medal we will have."

The last time China won a medal in the World Junior Championship was in 1991.Early on Monday, Chinese Taipei had a tough game to beat Argentina 9-5. The Championship, slated from October 13-20, was attracting 14 teams in the world, including last Championship's top three of Japan, the United States and Chinese Taipei.

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