Golden homer

Volume 48, No. 16, Sepetember 7, 2006

By Andrew Stackpool

HOME RUN: CPL Tracey Mosley, part of the Aussie Spirit women’s softball team, has just competed in the Women’s World Championships after victory in the Canada Cup. Photo by AC Aaron Curran

AIR Force Olympic medallist CPL Tracey Mosley from RAAF Base Amberley has a homer for gold in her sights.

The softball silver medallist in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and her team-mates in the Aussie Spirit women’s softball team almost went back-to-back when they won the 2006 Canada Cup and then placed fourth in the US World Cup.

The women blitzed the Canada Cup with a straight 11-0 win against teams from the USA, Venezuela, Japan, China, Canada and the Netherlands.

They then looked set to repeat their success in the World Cup, with victories against China (3-1) and the UK (12-0), but were assigned fourth place after straight defeats against the USA, Japan (a nail-biting 5-4) and Canada.

The competitions were played in Vancouver, Canada, from July 1-10, and Oklahoma, USA, from July 13-18.

They were vital precursors for the 2006 International Softball Federation women’s world championship series, played in China from August 27 to September 5.

Aussie Spirit had a lot riding on the series in China, with the top four teams automatically selected for the 2008 Olympics.

During the Canadian series, CPL Mosley scored six homers. She was repeatedly out to second and third base, but was unable to proceed home after the team was struck out, as well as walking from foul balls.

In the US Cup, she achieved two homers.

Softball Australia officials said that the team had displayed courage and commitment throughout the tournament in the searing heat and high humidity.

The women were satisfied with their overall performance and were looking forward to the Beijing competition.

They returned to Australia and attended a gruelling training camp in Brisbane from August 20-24 before departing for Beijing.

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