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USA Women Open against China on Thursday

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010


(click logo for original news story)

Stanford grads Jessica Mendoza, Alissa Haber and Lauren Lappin will be joined by Cardinal junior Ashley Hansen as Team USA competes in the International Softball Federation’s (ISF) XII Women’s World Championship, which begins Wednesday, in Caracas, Venezuela.

The Americans, the most decorated in the history of the international game, have participated in 11 previous World championships, winning eight gold medals, including the last six in succession dating to 1982.

Team USA opens against China on Thursday and then continues pool play against New Zealand, Botswana, Australia, the Dominican Republic and Czech Republic. Playoffs begin on June 30.

“Playing USA Softball is an honor,” two-time Olympian Jennie Finch said. “Wearing USA across your chest pushes you to be the best you can be. You want to play well for not only for yourself and your country but your teammates and all the players that have come before you. It’s really special to be a part of this team. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity.”

Team USA owns an all-time world championship mark of 106-10 (.914), and has outscored its opponents, 650-45. Out of the 106 wins, 88 have been by shutout.

The national team ends its at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City for the World Cup of Softball that runs July 22 through 26, and include teams from Canada and Japan as well as the Women’s Futures National Team.

“The World Cup of Softball gets more exciting each and every year and 2010 is no exception,” Mendoza said. “Where else can you see the best softball in the World and see the U.S. face off on home soil? The fans have always been outstanding and we hope to put on quite a show come July.”

Posted in ISF, Women | No Comments »

USA Women look for seventh consecutive World title

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010


ISF XII Women’s World Championship
June 23-July 2, 2010
Caracas, Venezuela

Note: The International Softball Federation’s (ISF) XII Women’s World Championship, June 23-July 2, in Caracas, Venezuela, will not be aired on television in the United States. Game recaps and stats will be available at http://www.usasoftball.com.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The USA Softball 2010 Women’s National Team, which includes four Olympic Champions and nine members of the Silver Medal winning squad from the 2008 Olympic Games, looks to continue the USA Softball legacy when they compete for the Gold Medal at the International Softball Federation’s (ISF) XII Women’s World Championship, June 23-July 2, in Caracas, Venezuela.

“The moment it will probably all hit me will be when I put on my USA uniform for the first time,” rookie Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.) said of playing for the USA in international competition. “I remember watching the team when I was younger and hoping that one day I would be given this amazing opportunity. It is such a great honor to be on the field with so many great players and represent our country.”

The USA Softball Women’s National Team, the most decorated team in the history of the international game, has participated in 11 previous Worlds, winning eight Gold Medals, including the last six consecutive titles, and two Silver Medals. The last time the Americans were not crowned World Champions was in 1982, when the team came down with stomach flu after starting 6-0 in round robin play, and finished fourth. The team has also won three of four Olympic Gold Medals.

Canney made her debut in the Red, White and Blue, last week when the Women’s National Team and the USA Softball Women’s Futures National team sparred in four exhibition games in Canton and Ashland, Ohio. In their prep for Worlds, the Women’s National Team defeated Futures 5-0 and 7-0 in Canton. After tying 0-0 in Game 1 in Ashland, the Women’s National Team gained a third win, 6-0. (Stats for the Ohio exhibition games are available at http://www.usasoftball.com.)

Team USA starts the World Championship on June 24 at 1 p.m. local time against China. Team USA also plays against New Zealand June 25, Botswana on June 26, Australia on June 27, Dominican Republic on June 28 and Czech Republic on June 29. Playoffs are June 30 and July 1 with medal games on July 2. Recaps and stats from the games, none of which are televised in the United States, will be posted at http://www.usasoftball.com.

At the 2009 World Cup of Softball, the USA defeated 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist Australia twice, including 3-1 in the Championship Game. The Americans and Aussies also clashed last year at the Canada Cup with USA winning 7-0 and 2-0. Of the other competitors Team USA will face during pool play in Caracas, none have posed much of a treat in recent seasons. Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 15-0 in four innings at the 2009 Pan American Qualifier.

But in the other pool are both Japan, the 2008 Olympic Champions, and Canada, the only team to defeat the USA last season, which is led by two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.). The Canadians topped the USA, 3-1, in pool play at the Pan Am Qualifier but could not claim the tournament. Team USA won the Championship Game 3-1. Canada and Japan finished third and fourth in the 2009 World Cup.

“Playing USA Softball is an honor,” said Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.), 2004 Olympic Champion and 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist. “Wearing USA across your chest pushes you to be the best you can be. You want to play well for not only for yourself and your country but your teammates and all the players that have come before you. It’s really special to be a part of this team. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity.”

In World Championship play, Team USA has amassed a lifetime record of 106-10 (.914), the best in the history of the tournament. The American offense has outscored its opponents collectively 650-45. Out of the 106 wins, 88 have been by shutout, including the 3-0 Championship Game against Japan in 2006.

Following the action in Caracas, the USA National Team will end the season in front of a home crowd at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. Joining them for fifth World Cup of Softball, July 22-26, are teams from Canada and Japan as well as the Women’s Futures National Team.

“The World Cup of Softball gets more exciting each and every year and 2010 is no exception,” said two-time Olympic Medalist Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.), who is making her return to the National Team after giving birth to her son Caleb in August. “Where else can you see the best softball in the World and see the U.S. face off on home soil? Only at the World Cup in Oklahoma City. The fans have always been outstanding and we hope to put on quite a show come July.”

Tickets for the World Cup are on sale now at SoftballOutlet.com. For those unable to join the action in Oklahoma City, ESPN and ESPN 2 will air all of the USA Women’s National Team games live as well as the men’s slow pitch Border Battle between Canada and the USA.

Members of the Women’s National Team will compete at the Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship, July 7-11, in Surrey, B.C. and exhibition games in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 13-14. National Team players will also be included on the rosters for the Japan Cup, August 3-9, in Sendai City, Japan. Futures players will fill out remaining roster spots.

Posted in ASA, ISF, Tournaments, Women | No Comments »

New Zealand White Sox Women off to Worlds

Monday, June 21st, 2010


ISF XII Women’s World Championship
June 23-July 2, 2010
Caracas, Venezuela

From Roman Gabriel, Softball New Zealand

World Series Build Up Games Argentina – Final vs Argentina

Lineup

Lara Andrews CF(pinched hit by Alison Boys in the 7th)
Tianna Areaiiti S/S (pinched hit by Rebecca Bromhead in the 7th)
Kiri Shaw DP (for Melanie Gettins who played Catcher)
Sheree Cartwright 1B (pinched run by Sina Hunkin in the 6th)
Upu Lote 2B
Brooke Lockhart LF
Katrina Stockford RF
Megan Farrell P (pinched hit by Zavana Aranga in the 7th)
Amanda Preston 3B

This final started as per most intense finals with the first two innings for both teams just finding their way.

The first inning however would have some drama in it with Sheree Cartwright up to bat. With the count 1 ball 1 strike Sheree slammed the next pitch straight back at the pitchers shin. It was hit so hard it knocked her off her feet and bounced back to the catcher before Sheree had even got out of the batters box and the catcher eventually taking the easy out at 1.

We would score first in the 3rd. Amanda Preston lead off with a single to left field who was sacrificed over to second by Lara Andrews with an excellent bunt. She would score with a single up the middle from Tianna Areaiiti to centre field who eventually mis played the ball for Preston to cross home plate easily.

The game will stay tight for the next two innings with Farrell in full control taking 6 strike outs along the way. This display was also backed by some outstanding defense from Amanda Preston who swept up everything hit her way down the third base line and kept us ahead in the score book. Without some of those outs we may have been in some trouble.

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Posted in International, ISF, Women | No Comments »

Argentina Heads to Venezuela for Women’s World Championships

Monday, June 21st, 2010

From Martin Jorge, translated (roughly) by Google Translate:


ISF XII Women’s World Championship
June 23-July 2, 2010
Caracas, Venezuela

Tomorrow afternoon will depart from Ezeiza International Airport Argentina Women’s National Team bound for Caracas Mayor, where staged the ISF Women’s World Championship XII. This will be the third participation of the Mayor in a Women’s National Team World Championship, after he did previously in 1990 and 1994.

Argentina in Group A of the ISF World Championship XII with Japan, Canada, Chinese Taipei, the Netherlands, Britain, South Africa and Cuba. The debut of the Argentina will face Japan, Olympic champions, on Wednesday 23 June in the match prior to the Opening Ceremony of the tournament.

A complete schedule of the Argentina is as follows (time Argentina):

Wednesday June 23, 1530 Hs, vs Japan
Thursday, June 24, 1630 South Africa vs Hs
Friday June 25, 2030 Canada vs Hs
Saturday June 26, 12:30 Hs vs Netherlands
Sunday June 27, 1430 Hs vs Chinese Taipei
Monday June 28, 1430 Hs vs Cuba
Tuesday June 29, 1630 Great Britain vs Hs

Wednesday June 30 to Friday July 2 playoff will be played with a double page.

The list of players who will carry the national coat of Caracas World Championship 2010 is as follows:

1.Angeletti, Maria Soledad – C – (Olavarria)
2.Aranda, Florence Mariana Centeno – IF – (Buenos Aires)
3.Clark, Pamela – OF – (Buenos Aires)
4.Frezzotti, Magali Nadia – OF-(Buenos Aires)
5.Godoy, Gabriela Agustina – IF – (Paraná)
6.Heis, Nadia Soledad – IF – (Buenos Aires)
7.Jimenez, Natalia Soledad – IF – (Bahia Blanca)
8.Livschitz, Valeria – OF-(Buenos Aires)
9.Morbeli, Paula Vanesa – OF-(Buenos Aires)
10.Olheiser, Maria Florence – P/1B – (Bahia Blanca)
11.Olheiser, Maria Victoria – P – (Bahia Blanca)
12.Pe̱arroya, Julieta Ludmila РP Р(Buenos Aires)
13.Rodriguez, Maria del Pilar – U – (Buenos Aires)
14.Sciuto Diaz, Susana Virginia – P – (La Pampa)
15.Tavella, Tatiana Soledad – C – (Paraná)
16.Tellechea, Maria Soledad – U – (City Bell)
17.Villalva, Carla – P/1B – (Buenos Aires)

The National Team Head Coach Argentina’s Guillermo Spotorno (Buenos Aires), who will be accompanied by their coaches Coaching Andres Luna (Buenos Aires) and Matias Perez (Paraná), the fitness coach Hugo Pasquale (Buenos Aires) and the Medical Damian Siano (Buenos Aires). The Team Leader of this selection is Mr. Carlos de la Vega (Olavarria.)

Click here to view their full color team media guide.

It is a large file (8 megs), so be patient in opening or downloading it. It is a professionally done guide, and worthy of your time. Outstanding job by whoever put this one together.

Because it’s in Spanish, we are also including a rough Google Translation to ,English after the jump.

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Posted in ISF, Tournaments, Women | No Comments »

USA Softball ASA announces 2010-11 Junior Women’s National Team

Friday, June 18th, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY – Seventeen athletes have been selected for the 2010-11 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today. The athletes selected hail from seven states: Arizona, California, Florida, Ohio, Oregon, Maryland and New Mexico.

The team will compete later this year at the III Pan American Softball Championship (18-and-under), August 6-15, in Bogota, Colombia, which serves as a qualifier for the International Softball Federation (ISF) IX Jr. Women’s World Championship (19-and-under), December 6-17, 2011, in Cape Town, South Africa.

“I am really proud of the 41 athletes who tried out for the Junior Women’s National Team and excited for the 17 who were selected to wear the USA uniform,” said Head Coach Karen Johns (Starkville, Miss./asst. coach Mississippi State). “I am looking forward to watching these young women play their best softball on the world stage and win Gold Medals for their country. I hope their first experiences with the USA Softball program are positive.”

Suzy Brazney (Huntington Beach, Calif./head coach Golden West College), Stacy Iveson (Prescott, Ariz./head coach Yavapai College) and Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala./head coach Alabama) will join Johns in Colombia as assistant coaches. Joe Salvatore (Monroe Township, N.J./coach New Jersey Breakers) is the volunteer assistant coach for the Junior Women’s National Team.

2010-11 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team Roster

Lauren Chamberlain (Trabuco Canyon, Calif./California Worth Firecrackers 18-Under Gold)
Cheyenne Cordes (Fairfield, Calif./California Lady Magic)
Ally Carda (Elk Grove, Calif./California Lady Magic)
Dallas Escobedo (Glendale, Ariz./Arizona Hotshots Gold)
Amber Freeman (Lakewood, Calif./Corona Angels 18-Under Gold-Tyson)
Erin Gabriel (Poland, Ohio/Valley Extreme Blue)
Chelsea Goodacre (Temecula, Calif./California Fury)
Lauren Haeger (Peoria, Ariz./ Arizona Hotshots Gold)
Kylee Lahners (Laguna Hills, Calif./ California Worth Firecrackers 18-Under Gold)
Destinee Martinez (Corona, Calif./ Corona Angels 18-Under Gold-Tyson)
Shelby Pendley (Albuquerque, N.M./New Mexico Sundancers)
Kourtney Salvarola (Arnold, Md./Wagners)
Madison Shipman (Valencia, Calif./So Cal Choppers)
Cheyanne Tarango (Anaheim Hills, Calif./ California Worth Firecrackers 18-Under Gold)
Nyree White (Eugene, Ore./ California Worth Firecrackers 18-Under Gold)
Hallie Wilson (North Tustin, Calif./ California Worth Firecrackers 18-Under Gold)
Chelsea Zgrabik (Nokomis, Fla./Florida Tropic Wave-Morgan)

(more…)

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San Diego State Women Eliminated from NCAA Regional by two tough losses

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Fall to # 5 UCLA and Fresno State, 4-3 on Saturday

The San Diego State softball team had its season come to an end with a 4-3 loss to Fresno State Saturday at the NCAA Los Angeles Regional. The Aztecs finished the year with a 34-16 record, while the Bulldogs (41-20) advanced to play No. 5/4 UCLA at noon PT Sunday.

SDSU, which earlier lost another close game to the host and No. 5 overall seed Bruins by a 4-3 score, tried to rally after falling behind, 4-0, after the first inning but fell just one run short.

Junior Jen Wisneski (Riverside, Calif.) homered in the third inning for San Diego State, her team-leading fifth of the season.

The Aztecs added a pair of scores in the fourth, both with two outs. SDSU loaded the bases on a single (junior Eva Sahatdjian (Fresno, Calif.)), 12-pitch walk (freshman Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.)) and a hit by pitch (Wisneski). Freshman Kamerin May (Corona, Calif.) then drew her first walk of the season and junior Jessica Camello (Temecula, Calif.) followed with a single to left. Bulldog pitcher Michelle Moses, however, left San Diego State with the bases loaded when senior Brittany Knudsen (San Diego/Escondido HS) popped out to third baseman Nicole Angene in foul territory.

The Aztecs threatened once again in the fifth but left runners on second and third with one out after Jackson fouled out behind home plate and pinch hitter Kristin May (Corona, Calif.) grounded out in a nice pick and throw by Fresno State shortstop Haley Gilleland.

Sahatdjian singled twice to lead the SDSU offense, while Knudsen drew three walks.

Junior Samantha Beasley (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) started the game for San Diego State, but allowed four runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batter, while recording just one out. Sophomore Bailey Micetich (Woodland, Calif.) allowed a single, then retired 17 consecutive Bulldogs. She finished the game with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of relief.

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San Diego Women Take on UCLA Today in NCAA Regional

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

NCAA Los Angeles Regional
Easton Stadium – Los Angeles, Calif. (UCLA)
Double-Elimination

Game 1: San Diego State 3, Fresno State 2
Fresno State (39-20) 000 000 2 — 2 5 0
San Diego State (34-14) 000 003 x — 3 8 1
Moses and Griffin; Beasley and Sahatdjian
Win: Beasley (29-9); Loss: Moses (11-2)
HR: Sahatdjian (SDSU) (4), Moses (FS) (18)

Game 2: No. 5 seed UCLA 11, Saint Mary’s 4

Saturday, May 22, 2010
Game 3: San Diego State vs. No. 5 seed UCLA, 1 p.m. PT
Game 4: Fresno State vs. Saint Mary’s, 3:30 p.m. PT
Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4, 6 p.m. PT

Sunday, May 23, 2010
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, Noon PT
Game 7: If necessary, 2:30 p.m. PT

Posted in General, Tournaments, Women | No Comments »

San Diego Women Top Fresno State in NCAA Regional

Friday, May 21st, 2010


Eva Sahatdjian homered in SDSU’s 3-2 win over Fresno State in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional on Friday.

Edison High graduate Eva Sahatdjian hit a two-run home run today to highlight San Diego State’s three-run sixth inning and the Aztecs went on to beat Fresno State 3-2 in the opener of the UCLA Regional in the NCAA Tournament.

San Diego State (34-14) will play the winner of Game 2, taking place Friday evening at 5:30pm PST, between No. 5 seed UCLA (40-11) and Saint Mary’s (30-21).

Fresno State (39-20) will play the loser of tonight’s UCLA-Saint Mary’s game in an elimination game at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Michelle Moses, the losing pitcher for Fresno smacked a two-run homer in the top of the seventh for the Bulldogs to make it close. The Bulldogs hurt themselves by leaving nine runners stranded. They only had five hits to San Diego State’s eight.

Box Score

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SDSU Women Open NCAA Los Angeles Regional Friday Against Fresno State

Friday, May 21st, 2010

The San Diego State softball team begins its quest for the Women’s College World Series this weekend when it travels to the campus of UCLA to compete in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional. The Aztecs (33-14) earned the No. 2 seed in the double-elimination regional and will face third-seeded Fresno State (39-19) at 3 p.m. PT Friday. Regional host and No. 5 overall seed UCLA (40-11) and Saint Mary’s (30-21) will meet in the 5:30 p.m. PT contest.

SDSU earned its sixth trip to the NCAA tournament in 10 seasons by being picked as an at-large selection on Sunday. It is the first time in program history that San Diego State has been selected to three consecutive NCAA tournaments. The Aztecs, who join league champion Brigham Young as participants from the six-team Mountain West Conference, enter the tournament as winners in 25 of their last 31 contests.

This year’s national tournament features 64 teams, with four teams participating at 16 regional sites in a double-elimination tournament. The regional winners will advance to super regional competition for a best-of-three series from May 28-29 at eight campus sites. The remaining eight teams will advance to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), an eight-team, double-elimination tournament with the championship final being a best-of-three series. The WCWS will be conducted June 3-9 at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Editor’s note: Longtime fastball, former Vista Bomber and Long Beach Nitehawk Steve Miner is an assistant coach for the San Diego State women.


San Diego State junior Samantha Beasley (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) has been named a 2010 first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA all-West Region selection, the NFCA announced Thursday.

Beasley, the 2010 Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year, became the fifth Aztec to be named to the first team and the first since Erin Floros in 2006. A right-hander, Beasley is 28-9 this season with a 0.96 ERA over 226 1/3 innings. Beasley, who won the MWC Pitcher-of-the-Week award nine times this season, currently owns San Diego State single-season records in strikeouts (345), strikeouts per seven innings (10.67), opposing batting average (.168), solo shutouts (since 1999) (11) and total shutouts (tied, 14). Among the national rankings, Beasley is second in ERA, ninth in strikeouts, 11th in strikeouts per seven innings, tied for 14th in solo shutouts, tied for 16th in victories, 17th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.21) and 39th in walks allowed per seven innings (1.45).

Click here for the complete report on San Diego State. (PDF)

Posted in General, Tournaments, Women | No Comments »

North Dakota State Women Get an Assist from Darcy Byrne

Friday, May 21st, 2010


(click logo for full news story)

Nice piece in the Seattle Times about the women’s fastpitch team at North Dakota State, who got an assist from longtime Kegel Black Knight pitcher Darcy Byrne, in preparing for their match-up with the top ranked Washington Huskies. Click here for the story.

For those of you in the Pacific Northwest rooting for those # 1 ranked Huskies, here is a preview of their team.

Washington is led by Danielle Lawrie who some are already calling one of the all-time greats. With 1,772 career strikeouts the reigning national player of the year Canadian Olympian needs just two more K’s to rise to No. 4 in the NCAA record book. Ponder these numbers:

35-2 record;
0.99 earned-run average;
three perfect games;
20 shutouts;
407 strikeouts (vs. just 33 walks) in 247-1/3 innings.

Yeah, I’d say practicing against Darcy Byrne was a good idea for North Dakota State.

Oh, and did I mention that she bats cleanup, hit .322 and topped the team in home runs (14) and runs batted in (55)?

ESPNU will televise all games live. All games on all three days are sellouts. Standing-room tickets ($3) will be sold 15 minutes before the start of each game. The upper level of Husky Stadium will be open for long-distance (but free) viewing.

Posted in General, Players, Tournaments, Women | No Comments »

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