Junior Girls World Softball Tournament : Granger Throws a No-Hitter as U.S. Defeats China, 4-0

Michele Granger of Valencia High School threw a no-hitter and struck out 13 as the U.S. downed previously unbeaten China, 4-0, Thursday night in the Junior Girls World Fast Pitch Softball Tournament.

Granger, 17, holds the tournament strikeout record, and has has 73 strikeouts in 38 innings.

The U.S. and China both finished the round-robin portion of the tournament with 8-1 records.

Japan also made the playoffs by defeating Holland, 3-1, earlier Thursday. Japan finished the round-robin 7-2.

Earlier, shortstop Ya-Fen Wang had three hits and scored two runs to help Chinese Taipei stop New Zealand, 6-0.

Taipei improved to 6-3 in the round robin portion as Mei-Chi Chen allowed just two hits.

Australia won twice Thursday to run its record to 6-3. The Aussies beat Canada, 3-0, as Kristen Roche threw six innings of no-hit ball and Kylie Rustin doubled three times to drive in a run. In its other game, Australia scored twice in the top of the seventh inning to beat Holland, 3-1.

Canada was eliminated from the tournament with a 3-6 record.

Chinese Taipei and Australia will play Friday morning to determine the final spot in the four-team playoff.

Also Thursday, New Zealand beat Mexico, 5-1. New Zealand is out of the tournament with a 2-7 record and Mexico finished 0-9.