USA advances to playoffs with perfect 7-0 record - ISF women

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 9/2/06 8:23:08 AM 
From:  "Holly Krivokapich" <hollyk(at)softball.org> 

  
Subject:  USA advances to playoffs with perfect 7-0 record  


USA advances to playoffs with perfect 7-0record

 

Beijing, China---The USA SoftballWomen’s National Team defeated
South Africa, 10-0, in five innings toadvance into the playoff
rounds of the XI ISF Women’s World Championshipswith a perfect
7-0 record and as the top seed from Pool A. The USA will continue
its quest for a sixthconsecutive World Championship on Saturday
at 9:30 p.m. CT against No. 2 seed Australia.

 

Caitlin Lowe (TustinCalif.) was superb offensively for the U.S.going
3-for-4 at the plate with three stolen bases, two runs scored
and an RBI.She got things started in the first inning with an
infield single and thenswiped second. A single by Natasha Watley
(Irvine, Calif.scored Lowe for the first run of the game. With
one out, Crystl Bustos (CanyonCountry, Calif.) doubled to left
field to plate Watley and a 2-0 lead. 

 

It was Lowe again who got things startedin the second inning.
With two outs, Lowe reached on a bunt single and thenstole second
once again. Watley came through with a single to center field
thatscored Lowe for a 3-0 advantage.

 

Bustos led off the third inning with hersecond double of the
game, moved to third on a groundout by Jenny Topping (Whittier,
Calif.) andscored on a fielder’s choice by Andrea Duran (Salem,
Calif.).A single by Tairia Flowers (Tucson, Ariz.) moved Duran
to second and a single to left fieldby Vicky Galindo (Union City
Calif.) brought her home. Lowedrove in the final run of the inning
with a single to right field to increasethe U.S.lead to 6-0.

 

Alicia Hollowell (Suisin, Calif.), makingher first start in a
World Championship, kept South Africa hitless until thefourth
when shortstop Candice Stephens singled to right center. Two
consecutiveground outs kept the shutout intact and Hollowell
ended the game with sixstrikeouts.

 

The U.S. picked up the runs it neededin the bottom of the fourth
to end the game in five innings due to the runrule. Jessica Mendoza
(Camarillo, Calif.) and Bustosreached on back-to-back errors
by the South African defense that had beenperfect in the game.
Topping followed with a double to left field that scored Mendoza
and moved Bustosto third. 

 

A sacrifice fly by Duran plated Bustos anda double by Amanda
Freed (Cypress Calif.) scored Topping. Galindofinished things
off with a double of her own to score Freed and give the U.S.
a10-0 win.

 

The U.S. offense exploded for 12 hitsin the game including four
doubles. Bustos, Watley and Galindo put up two hits,following
Lowe’s three. Watley and Galindo joined Duran in the RBIcategory
with two apiece.

 

With pool play complete the U.S. now turns its focus to the playoffs
whereit will face Australia, theonly team to beat the U.S.in
World Championship competition since 1982. Australiabeat the
U.S. 2-1 in 12innings during the second round of the playoffs
at the 1998 World Championshipsin Fujinomiya, Japan.  

 


Holly Krivokapich
Assistant Director of Communications
ASA/USA Softball
405-425-3431
www.asasoftball.com  www.usasoftball.com 

 

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