Undefeated U.S. Blanks China in Softball

Cat Osterman pitches a two-hitter in a 2-0 victory over China as the U.S. improved to 6-0 in the softball world championship in Beijing. (By Greg Baker -- Associated Press)

Cat Osterman pitched a two-hit complete game, lifting the United States past China, 2-0, at the softball world championship in Beijing.

Osterman struck out nine and Caitlin Lowe and Jessica Mendoza scored to keep the U.S. team unbeaten (6-0).

Stacey Nuveman 's RBI scored Lowe in the first inning and Andrea Duran 's RBI scored Mendoza in the sixth.

Osterman praised the performance of China, which is 5-1.

"The Chinese are much improved," Osterman said.

In other games, Japan remained unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Australia; Canada routed South Africa, 12-0; Britain beat New Zealand, 2-1; and Taiwan cruised past Botswana, 11-0.

· COURTS: The federal government has sued former NFL quarterback Ken Stabler , seeking more than $500,000 in overdue taxes and proposing foreclosure on property he owns in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama.

The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court by the Justice Department's Tax Division, says Stabler owes $241,565 in unpaid income taxes, penalties and interest from 1999, 2000 and 2001.

It also says the Stabler Co., which he owns, owes $303,282 in unpaid income and employment taxes, penalties and interest from 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The Stabler Co. arranges speaking engagements.

Stabler is scheduled to be a radio announcer for Alabama's football season opener today against Hawaii. . . .

Defense attorneys want a public opinion poll to determine whether an impartial jury can be seated for Maurice Clarett 's robbery trial later this month in Columbus, Ohio.