Q-C trio watching Australian mates chase gold medal

A pair of former Quad-City players will be going for the gold on the baseball field today in Athens, Greece, and the three Australians on the Swing roster will use part of the leaguewide off day to look in.

"Back home, it's a big deal," Quad-City pitcher Peter Tautor said. "It's an exciting thing for baseball in Australia."

Australia advanced to the gold medal game in the Olympics with a 1-0 win over top-seeded Japan on Tuesday.

The team, which includes former River Bandit outfielder Trent Oeltjen and infielder Brett Tamburrino, will play defending champion Cuba, an 8-5 winner over Canada.

Tamburrino saw action in left field but did not collect a hit, while Oeltjen, who has started in center for Australia for much of the tournament, was given the day off.

The Twins employ more Australians than any other major-league organization. There are 19 Australians on the rosters of Twins affiliates, many signed by scout Howard Norsetter.

Tautor's compatriots on the Swing are pitcher Tristan Crawford and infielder Paul Rutgers.

Oeltjen played for the River Bandits in 2002 and 2003, leading in most offensive categories last season. He hit .298 and led in runs, hits, steals and triples.

Tamburrino spent parts of three seasons in the Quad-Cities from 2000-02, hitting .266 in his final season here.

They'll take the field for today's noon final, which will be televised live by MSNBC. Cuba defeated Australia 4-1 in preliminary-round play Aug. 15.