The Australian women’s softball team, Aussie Spirit, is two-from-two at the XI International Softball Federation’s Women’s World Championship in Beijing, China.

In their first game of the tournament on Sunday they defeated Greece 5-1. Today they were awarded a 7-0 victory without facing a pitch as Columbia who have not shown up for the Championships forfeited the game.

Against Greece Simmone Morrow scored at the bottom of the first to take Australia to an early lead. Greece replied in the top of second, but great batting and base work from the Australian bats helped take a 3-1 lead with runs scored from Natalie Ward and Amanda Doman.

Tanya Harding opened the pitching for Australia with Kelly Hardie replacing her at the top of the fourth.

Hardie held Greece’s bats allowing them only two hits.

Kate Quigley and Ward scored at the bottom of the sixth to secure Australia’s first victory.

Australia’s next game will take place Tuesday at 9pm (AEST) against Chinese Taipei.

With the withdrawl of Columbia 15 teams are contesting the event. The top four teams automatically qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Australia is in Pool B with Japan, Chinese Taipei, Greece, Venezuela, Netherlands, and Botswana.

The Championships are being used by the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) as a test event for 2008.

AOC