[Alsfastball] USA SOFTBALL-U.S. tallies 17 runs in back-to-back mercy rule victorie

[Al Doran]

Subject: USA SOFTBALL-U.S. tallies 17 runs in back-to-back mercy rule 
victories
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2004 13:48:52 -0500
From: "Brian McCall" <bmccall at softball.org>

SOUTH BEND, IN

For Immediate Release: 7/2/04



U.S. tallies 17 runs in back-to-back mercy rule victories

SOUTH BEND, IN ­  The USA Softball Olympic team continued to dominate  its 
‘Aiming for Athens’ tour opponents capturing back-to-back shutout 
victories against the Midwest All-Stars in South Bend, IN on Friday 
evening.  A crowd of 2400, a 10-0 rout in game one and a 7-0 decision in 
game two, the U.S. improved its tour record to 44-0 outscoring opponents 
390-11.  Increasing the pre-Olympic tour win streak to 158 dating back to 
May of 1996, the U.S. has just six tour stops left before heading to 
Athens, Greece for the Olympic Games August 13-25.

The Red, White and Blue combined two five-run innings in game one to 
capture a 10-0 mercy rule victory.  Winning pitcher Cat Osterman (Houston, 
TX), 13-0, tossed a one-hitter from the circle with 13 strikeouts in five 
complete innings.

The Midwest All-Stars actually saw the first runner of the game in scoring 
position in the first inning after an error from Osterman and a stolen base 
landed Angela Knight at second.  But it was all Osterman after that as she 
retired the next two outs via strikeout.

The U.S. offensive arsenal began rolling in the second when Lisa Fernandez 
(Long Beach, CA) snuck a base hit back to the pitcher and Kelly Kretschman 
(Indian Harbour Beach, FL)  reached on a fielding error by All-Star second 
baseman Vicki Nelson.  Almost clearing the bags, Jessica Mendoza 
(Camarillo, CA) then pulled a line drive triple to the right field fences 
plating Fernandez and Kretschman for a 2-0 lead.  Three more runs 
complimentary of a fielder’s choice and a Natasha Watley (Irvine, CA) two 
run home run, just her second of the tour, put the U.S. in front 5-0.

Adding five runs in the third, it was Fernandez again who led the way 
beginning the inning with a double to left field.  A two RBI single from 
Mendoza then plated Amanda Freed (Cypress, CA) and pinch runner Nicole 
Giordano (Saugus, CA) while Laura Berg (Santa Fe Springs, CA) added an RBI 
base hit to left field.  A walk to Watley in conjunction with a fielder’s 
choice to Leah O’Brien-Amico (Chino Hills, CA) put runners aboard for top 
hitter Bustos who notched a two RBI single up the middle for the 10-0 
difference.

All but two of the U.S. starters came away with a hit in the mercy rule 
victory while Watley, Fernandez and Mendoza each contributed two 
hits.  Lauren Hines tallied the All-Stars only hit of the game in the top 
of the fourth with a drive to left center.

GAME TWO

A two-out sacrifice fly from Bustos pushed the U.S. to an early 1-0 lead at 
the start of the second game.   Lead off hitter Watley reached on a walk, 
advanced to second on a stolen base, sped to third on a ground out before 
scoring on the sacrifice fly.

But a 1-0 lead wouldn’t last long as the U.S. bats continued to hammer 
home collecting four runs on four hits in the second inning.  A lead off 
single to left center from Kretschman led things off before a Watley walk 
and bunt single from Mendoza loaded the bases for power hitter Bustos.  A 
two RBI single up the middle, totaling her tour RBI count to 78, put the 
U.S. up 3-0.  A two RBI Jenny Topping (Whittier, CA) single through the 
left side cushioned the U.S. lead headed into the third inning.

Two more runs in the third thanks to an RBI triple to right field from 
Kretschman and a fielding error by the All-Star second baseman, lifted the 
U.S. to the eventual 7-0 win.  Mendoza and Kretschman led both teams with 
two hits a piece.

U.S. winning pitcher Fernandez combined for a one-hit performance and her 
11th victory of the tour.  She had five strikeouts and has a 0.25 ERA in 
tour action.

Team USA will take Saturday to travel north to Midland, MI where they play 
at Currie Stadium on Sunday, July 4 at 3 p.m.


mailto:bmccall at softball.org


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