U.S. softball team shuts out, no-hits Australia, 3-0

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BEIJING -- Cat Osterman of Houston pitched a no-hitter and Crystl Bustos of Canyon Country hit a two-run home run as the United States won its 16th consecutive Olympic game, 3-0, over Australia.

Australia is considered on the few teams that can compete with the United States.

The Aussies, with former UCLA pitcher Tanya Harding on the mound, did for awhile, before the Bustos home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Softball has been eliminated from the Games after 2008, largely because so few countries can challenge powers such as the United States and Australia.

--Randy Harvey

AP photo of USA’s Crystl Bustos (6) is congratulated after hitting a home run against Australia in a softball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympics by Elaine Thompson