World Cup of Softball

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Canada scored twice on Alison Bradley's third-inning single and an ensuing error to claim third place at the World Cup of Softball with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Monday.

Monday, July 17th 2006, 5:10 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Canada scored twice on Alison Bradley's third-inning single and an ensuing error to claim third place at the World Cup of Softball with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Monday.

Melanie Matthews singled to start the third and stole second before Sheena Lawrick walked. Bradley followed with a single to right field off Tanya Harding (1-1), and the throw from Sandra Allen caromed into the Canada (4-2) dugout along the third-base line.

Matthews scored and Katie Hnatyk, who pinch ran for Lawrick, was awarded home on the play.

Australia (2-4) loaded the bases in the fourth and seventh innings but came up empty both times. Danielle Lawrie (1-1) got Simone Morrow to fly out to the wall in center to end the fourth, and cleanup hitter Danica Howlett to ground out to first to end the game.

China 1, Britain 0

Zhang Ai had two of her team's three hits, including an RBI single, to help China (2-4) win the fifth-place game.

After Xin Minhong was hit by a pitch to start the second inning, Li Huan pinch ran and moved to second on a walk. Ai then singled off Tiffany McDonald (0-2) to drive in the game's only run.

Britain (0-6) put the tying run in scoring position against Yu Huili (1-1) in the seventh when Terra Davenport walked and pinch-hitter Shannon Sullivan singled. But Lu Wei came in and earned the save by striking out Leah English after falling behind 3-0 in the count.