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[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 9/3/06 8:36:25 AM 
From:  "Holly Krivokapich" <hollyk(at)softball.org> 

  
Subject:  USA Softball crushes Australia in first round of playoffs
 

  




USA Softball crushes Australia in first round ofplayoffs

 

Beijing, China---The USA SoftballWomen’s National Team used four
home runs to cruise past Australia, 11-2,in the opening round
of the playoffs at the XI ISF Women’s WorldChampionships. Jessica
Mendoza (Camarillo Calif.) went 2-for-4 in the gamewith two home
runs and five RBI. 

 

With her effort, Mendozabecomes the all-time USAleader in RBIs
in a single World Championship with 14 to surpass two-timeOlympic
gold Medalist Sheila (Cornell) Douty.

 

“Its an amazing honor and I amhumbled. To be apart of such an
amazing group like those before me is an honorbut to surpass
it is unbelievable,” said Mendoza of this accomplishment. “Ilooked
up to all those amazing RBI hitters when I started out. They
really setthe tone for us today and built a great legacy. To
actually be on the same pagewith them, dating back 40 years,
is such an honor.” 

 

USA catcher Stacey Nuveman (La Verne, Calif.) put the Red, Whiteand
Blue on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a two
run homerun that scored Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, Calif.)
who reached on a lead off double. 

 

Australia responded in the top of the third byrecording two runs
off three hits. Simone Morrow singled to left and scored ona
double by Sandra Allen who later scored on a single by Natalie
Porter.

 

With the game tied 2-2, the USAresponded right back with two
runs to regain the lead. Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.) reachedon
an error by pitcher Kellie Hardie and scored when Mendoza launched
her first home run of thegame deep into the right field bleachers.


 

It looked as if Australiawould cut into the USA leadin the fourth
inning when they loaded the bases with only one out but U.S.
pitcher Cat Osterman (Houston, Texasshutdown the rally by striking
out the next two batters to end the threat.

 

With the game still in limbo, the USAadded four runs in the bottom
of the fourth inning to stretch their lead to8-2. Andrea Duran
(Selma, Calif.) led off the inning with a solo homerun to left
field. Back-to-back walks to Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.)
and Lovie Jung (Fountain Valley, Calif.and a single by Laura
Berg (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.loaded the bases for Lowe who singled
to left field to score Finch.

 

Bustos plated the final two runs of theinning with a bases loaded
single to left field that scored Lowe and NatashaWatley (Irvine,
Calif.) who reached on a fielder’schoice.

 

With the momentum clearly in the favor ofthe U.S.Osterman took
control in the circle by retiring the side in the next twoinnings
which included five strikeouts.

 

“I struggled a little bit at the beginning of the pitch and lefttoo
many pitches over the plate,” said Osterman. “But we made someadjustments
and were able to shut them down.”

 

 

Needing only a single run to end the gamein the bottom of the
sixth inning due to the international run rule, Mendoza took
care ofthings by smashing a walk off three run home run to score
Lowe and Watley andend the game.

 

Osterman picked up her fourth consecutivewin in the World Championships
after allowing only two runs on six hits whilestriking out 12
Aussie batters. 

 

The win puts the USA into the second round of the playoffs wherethey
will face arch rival Japanwho is also 8-0 in these World Championships.
The two powerhouses face off onMonday at 3 a.m. CT. The winner
will advance to the Grand Final to compete forthe gold medal
while the loser will have to play in the bronze medal game inhopes
of earning a spot in the Grand Final. 

 

NOTES:

*Bustos took over second place on the USAall-time list for doubles
in a single World Championship with her fifth of thechampionship.

 

*Jessica Mendoza tied two-time Olympicgold medalist Sheila (Cornell)
Douty for the most home runs in a single WorldChampionship with
her fourth.

 

*Stacey Nuveman moved into a tie for thirdplace on the USA all-timelist
for home runs in a single World Championship when she collected
her thirdagainst Australia.

 

*Osterman moved into a tied for secondwith wins in a single World
Championship with her fourth against AustraliaOsterman joins
a list that includes the likes of Lisa Fernandez and Hall ofFamers
Kathy Arendsen, Donna Lopiano, Barbara Reinalda and Bertha Tickey.

 

 

 

 

Holly Krivokapich

Assistant Director of Communications

ASA/USA Softball

405-425-3431

www.asasoftball.comwww.usasoftball.com 

 

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