U.S. goes for softball gold

By STEVE RIVERA

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - Lisa Fernandez pitched a three-hitter over Australia in Olympic play Sunday, winning 5-0, and putting Team USA in Monday's gold medal round against the Aussies.

Australia advanced after beating Japan 3-0 in the bronze medal game on Sunday night.

Fernandez, 33, a three-time Olympian, doubled in Leah O'Brien-Amico in the fourth to give the United States a 1-0 lead and eventually the game. Fernandez is now 3-0 in the tournament and 6-2 lifetime in the Olympics.

Team USA is riding a 78-0 win streak, including 8-0 in Olympic play.

Australia (7-2) is savoring a chance at one more crack at the two-time Olympic champion United States.

``We needed a front-end loader to lift us up after that first game,'' Australia coach Simon Roskvist said, of his team's loss to the USA on Sunday. ``But we've bounced back and we want another bite at the cherry.'' As does the United States, after beating Australia 5-0 and 10-0 in the tournament's earlier meetings.

``We are just psyched,'' USA left fielder Jessica Mendoza said. ``It is the moment that I have been waiting for. It's here.''

The United States is 3-2 overall against the Aussies, losing the two games in pool play in 1996 (once) and 2000 (once).

Kelly Kretschman capped off her team's scoring with a solo home run in the sixth. It was her first homer of the Olympics.

``I was frustrated in the last at-bat,'' said Kretschman. ``I just wanted to hit it and she came in on me and I hit it. I knew it was a home run (right away).''