Kaia Parnaby tosses one-hitter to lead Australia to 4-0 win over Ireland; Jade Wall homers
World No. 8 Australia bounced back from their opening day loss with a 4-0 win against hosts Ireland to get their first win of the tournament. Kaia Parnaby pitched a 14-strikeout shutout, while Jade Wall homered for the Aussies.
"We hung in there, we gritted our teeth, we got a few runs, my defence had my back. We were just playing our game today and did what the Aussie Spirit like to do,” said Parnaby after the game.
"The game went pretty well, I must say. It's nice to get back out there. I've been under the weather, so to be able to be back out there with the girls after missing last year, it's been nice to be back in the green and gold."
Georgia Hood produced the first run of the game with a sac fly to left field in the fourth, followed by a two-run double by Clare Warwick in the fifth. One inning later, Wall’s homer put the game 4-0.
Irish shortstop Hannah Monteleone spoke to WBSC after the game:
What happened out there: "We started out strong, especially against a really strong team. Everyone looked good out on the field. We got a loss in one inning in our fielding, our pitching still showed up and was great but we got a little in our heads. Then, as soon as one mistake happens it kind of rolls on to the next but we brought it back. We just have to hit."
On bouncing back from this defeat (next game 18.30 v Botswana): "We just have to make sure that we keep our spirits up high so we can go on to the next game and try to win that to the best of our ability. We're going to go back, eat, get out of our heads and enjoy our time together. Then come back and have fun because we play our best when we have fun."
On the venue: "It's awesome. We're so proud of everyone. We're so thankful for everyone who worked on this field because they were working day and night. They did an amazing job for us to pull this all off.