SOFTBALL : GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN.

Byline: Associated Press 

Another game for the U.S. softball team, another outcome hanging in doubt in the late innings. It's a trend coach Ralph Raymond could do without.

``For a while there, I got a little worried,'' Raymond said after the U.S. defeated China 1-0 in 10 innings Monday night and moved into the Olympic gold-medal game. ``I didn't think we were going to be able to do it.''

But Woodland Hills' Sheila Cornell proved otherwise.

Cornell, the former Taft High School and UCLA star, won it with a one-out, bases-loaded single, giving the Americans their second straight thrilling victory over the Chinese.

Three days ago, Cornell hit a game-winning, two-run homer in a 3-2 win against China. This time, her hit scored Dot Richardson of Sherman Oaks, another UCLA graduate.

``You love to be in control of a ballgame like that,'' Cornell said. ``As a hitter, you live for those moments.''

``She's one of the great clutch hitters in the game,'' Raymond said.

Lisa Fernandez, yet another ex-UCLA star, pitched another strong game, allowing three hits and striking out 13.

Four days ago, she saw her bid for a perfect game end when Australia's first hit - a two-out, two-run homer by Joanne Brown - gave the Aussies a 2-1, 10-inning win.

That loss was the first for the Americans in the inaugural Olympic softball tournament and just the second defeat in the team's last 115 games. And there could be a rematch.

Australia, which defeated Japan 3-0 Monday night, plays China early today. The winner of that game will meet the U.S. afterward for the gold medal.

Entering the tournament, the Americans figured to have an easy time winning the gold, but their offense has been quiet the last three games, scoring only four runs, and the team no longer seems invincible.

``We're making it tough on ourselves,'' Fernandez said.

While the U.S. team has struggled, Cornell has been its only consistent hitter.

``I pretty much approach each at-bat the same,'' said the 34-year-old, who leads the team in hitting at .423 (11 for 26) and has three home runs and nine RBI.

``I didn't have to hit one out of the park in this situation. You're just looking for a pitch in your zone that you'd like to hit, and hopefully you hit a good one instead of a bad one.''

After stroking her game-winning hit Monday, Cornell took a couple of steps, broke out into a huge grin, and pumped her fists as she jumped off the ground.

``Then I remembered I had to make sure I got to first,'' she said.

Cornell is hoping her teammates can break out today.

``We'd certainly like to make it a lot easier the next time around,'' she said. ``This is what most of us have worked for all our lives, to play for the gold medal. There is no better feeling.''