Australia Nips Canada, 1-0

Athens - Needing a win to even their record at 3-3 and improve their chances of advancing to the semifinals, the Canadian Olympic Softball team dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to medal-favorite Australia at Olympic Softball Stadium in Athens on Tuesday.

Nebraska's Sheena Lawrick pinch hit for Erin Cumpstone in the seventh and struck out. Lawrick was one of 10 strikeout victims on the day for Australia's Melanie Roche. Roche tossed a complete game five-hitter in a complete-game shutout.

Australia's Peta Edebone led off the top of the second inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. It looked like she may be stranded there following back-to-back strikeouts, but a two-out single by Simmone Morrow gave Australia the only run it would need.

The Canadian team will conclude play in the preliminary round on Friday at 1:30 a.m. (CDT) against Italy.