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March 13, 2008 - TAICHUNG, TAIWAN – Current and former Frontier League players helped to keep Australia in the hunt for an Olympic baseball berth.
The Aussies scored three runs in the first inning, three more in the second inning and went on to shut out Spain, 9-0, in a must-win game in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Taiwan.
Starting pitcher Greg Wiltshire, a former Kalamazoo King, and current King Mark Kelly were among four pitchers that combined on a one-hitter. Rockford RiverHawks infielder Brad Dutton was 0-for-2, but played errorless shortstop before he was replaced in the fifth inning.
The Aussies, who won the silver medal four years ago in Athens, need to finish in the top three of an eight-team field to advance to Beijing for this year’s Olympic tournament. They are 3-3 and must win their remaining game, Friday against South Africa, to have any chance to advance. The remainder of the Olympic field, which includes 2004 gold medalist Cuba and reigning World Cup champion U.S., has been set.
Dutton, the starting shortstop in each game, is 2-for-18 in the tournament. He has committed three errors.
Dutton competed this winter in the Claxton Shield, his nation’s annual baseball championship. Dutton hit .310 with no home runs and nine RBI and stole a team-high four bases in the league for his home-state Queensland Rams.
Opening Night is at 7:05 p.m. May 21, when the RiverHawks host River City. The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 16th season this summer. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Most games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM) and the internet. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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