Parnaby outduels Cecchetti in Australia’s 1-0 shutout win over Italy

The Aussies even up their record, 1-1, while Italy dropped to 0-2 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic softball tournament.

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<p>Australia's Kaia Parnaby and Italy's Greta Cecchetti put on a pitching showcase on day 2 of the Tokyo Olympic softball competition, with the Aussies prevailing 1-0 at Fukushima Azuma Stadium. </p>

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<p>Australian lefty Parnaby worked 6.2 scoreless innings and came out with the win. She gave up 4 hits and 1 walk, with 2 strikeouts. </p>

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<p>Cecchetti posted similar numbers, as the righty pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out two.</p>

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<p>Australia scored the game-winning run with two outs in the second inning. Taylah Tsitsikronis led the inning off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out by Tarni Stepto. With two outs, Jade Wall beat out an infield grounder that knocked in Tsitsikronis for the game's only run.</p>

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<p>Down to their final out, Italy put two runners on base in the seventh, Ellen Roberts came in to relieve Parnaby and struck out Marta Gasparotto to earn the save.</p>

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<p>Australia's win evens their record (1-1), while Italy (0-2) is still looking for their first win after dropping two tight contests at Tokyo 2020. </p>

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