*Team USA claims third consecutive gold medal behind Bustos*
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ATHENS, Greece (Ticker) - Arguably the strongest team in the
Olympic women's softball tournament, the United States flexed
its muscle Monday.

Powered by a pair of home runs by Crystl Bustos, the U.S. squad
recorded its third straight gold medal with a 5-1 victory over
Australia.

After the Aussies threatened with consecutive hits in the top of
the first inning, the first time that had happened against the
U.S. during the entire tournament, Bustos responded with a
two-run homer off Tanya Harding.

Lisa Fernandez also scored in the first off an error by
Australian catcher Marissa Carpadios to supply the Americans
with a three-run cushion.

Bustos added a titanic home run to left field in the third and
Stacey Nuveman chipped in her second homer of the tournament
three batters later for a 5-0 advantage.

With two huge blasts, Bustos finished the Games with five home
runs and 10 RBI.

After a tight first inning, Fernandez retired 14 straight Aussie
batters until they managed a run on consecutive hits in the
sixth, snapping a U.S. 54 inning shutout streak.

A three-time gold medalist, Fernandez allowed four hits and
struck out two for her second win over Australia in two days and
her fourth victory of the Olympics.

"She threw to the same team three times and every game was a
little bit different,"  Nuveman said about Fernandez.  "That is
what makes her so special.  She is a different pitcher every
day."

At the plate, the 33-year-old Fernandez had a single in two
at-bats to set an Olympic record with a batting average of .545
(12-for-22).

"Being here in Athens, where the Games all started, I could not
think of a better place to win my third (gold medal)," Fernandez
said.  "This team was incredible. It is a pitcher's dream to be
able to have hitters in the lineup such as Crystl who can put
up runs in a hurry."

"I think this team came in here wanting to make a statement,"
Fernandez added.  "Coach Candrea really tightened up the ship,
especially after what happened in 2000, losing three games.  We
realized that the rest of the world was catching up and we
needed to make an adjustment and elevate our game."

And make an adjustment they did.

Going undefeated in nine games, the U.S. squad outscored
opponents, 51-1.  On the mound, it posted five consecutive
one-hitters.

Australia, which surrendered 20 runs in its three losses to the
Americans, finished with the silver and Japan settled for the
bronze.

st 08-23-04 12:18 et