BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's softballers overcame a slow-warm slump and delivered two decisive home runs to pound the European champion Netherlands 10-2 at the Beijing Olympics here on Tuesday.

    Zhou Yi and Zhang Lifang, who contributed a solo home run and three-run homer respectively in the final inning, helped the home side notch the opening victory and make a step closer to the elusive Olympic medals.

    "It was a good start for us but as the opponents are very strong, we have to make steady steps game after game," said China's head coach Wang Lihong.

    Wang made some adjustments in the circle from the start when the ace pitcher Lu Wei was left in the bullpen and Yu Huili took the starting role.

    The 25-year-old right hander, who registered a 3-2 won-lost record in seven games played at the China Cup tournament last October, tossed a perfect first four innings, allowing no hits and walks.

    But China's batters only contributed one hit apiece in the first three innings and failed to break the deadlock until the top fifth.

    Designated batter Xin Minhong's single hit moved Yu Yanhong to the second base and Zhang Ai brought her home to gain the first run.

    Sun Li then delivered a blast double over the left fielder's head to clear the base paths and edge the lead to 3-0.

    The Chinese girls gradually found the confidence in the plate with swing after swing and Tan Ying' single hit helped her teammates add two more runs for the home side to a 5-0 lead.

    Reliefer Li Qi came onto the plate in the fifth bottom but only took care of the only half inning. Marloes Fellinger seemed to know the routine of the left-handed hurler and delivered a solo home run for the Netherlands.

    Li failed to calm down after the beat, giving up another run and was replaced by starting pitcher Yu before the fifth inning ended.

    "We have three good pitchers in the same level and I made the adjustments timely based on the strategy of the whole team," explained the Chinese coach.

    Lead off batter Zhou Yi grabbed one more run in the sixth and hit a solo homer to help the home side regained the momentum in the seventh after a three-run homer made by her teammate Zhang Lifang.

    "It was our first game so it's not easy for the victory," said Wang.

    "We will prepare physically and mentally well for the following games. On the medal-pursuit goal, I do not want to mention it now and just let us see what will happen," she added. Enditem