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USA Softball Storms Florida
By Holly Krivokapich // USA Softball // May 5, 2008
PLANT CITY, Fla. – Although it used to play host to the Cincinnati Reds farm team, Plant City Stadium was undeniably USA Softball country today as more than 4,800 fans gathered to cheer on the USA Softball Women’s National team to a 12-0 victory over Florida Southern College in Plant City, Fla. Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.) led the team going 3-for-3 with three RBI as the team moved its record to 28-1.
In the first inning, Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, Calif.) hit a single to left field for the first run of the game scoring Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.) who singled to reach. A rocked double to right centerfield by Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.) plated another run giving the team a 2-0 lead. The team looked to expand their lead but a strikeout by Vicky Galindo (Union City, Calif.) left three runners stranded.
Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.), in her seventh start of the KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour, allowed no runners on until the third when Heidi Grondahl hit a single. Abbott was stellar in the circle working 6.0 innings issuing 11 strikeouts for her eighth win of the KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour.
After scoring a run in the second inning off a single by Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.) the team tacked on two more runs in the third inning. Kelly Kretschman (Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.) took base on balls before Duran rocked her 12th homerun for two RBI. The team again juiced up the bases in the third but a flyout by Mendoza left three USA members on base.
It may have been just scored a homerun but it was a monster shot as Bustos earned credit for the team’s sixth run of the game with a shot that cleared 300 feet to give the team a 6-0 lead.
The team loaded the bases again in the sixth but the ending was much sweeter as the team took advantage doubling their runs in the sixth for a 12-0 victory. With bases loaded Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.) drew a walk off the fourth SFC pitcher of the game for an RBI. Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.) hit a double to right field for two RBI with Lappin scoring on a sac fly by Watley. Rounding out the scoring barrages was Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) who singled to left field with Lowe scoring on an error at second base to give the team its 12th and final run of the game.
Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) worked the final inning in the circle for the Red, White and Blue with two strikeouts.
The team continues its trek through the United States as it heads to Ann Arbor, Mich., for a game against No. 5 Michigan on Tues. at 7:00 p.m./ET. Be sure to check out www.usasoftball.com for complete coverage of the KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour as well as the air dates for all ESPN games.
About ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 83 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit http://www.asasoftball.com/.
About USA Softball
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive as well as claimed two World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about USA Softball, please visit http://www.usasoftball.com/.
About KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour
The KFC Bound 4 Beijing tour is a 45-city nationwide pre-Olympic tour for the USA Softball Women's National team as they prepare to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Beginning in February, the tour reaches every corner of the country including 23 states while Team USA prepares with 62 total games. The tour consists of five consecutive weekly national televised games on ESPN2 in April and May along with two other bonus games plus four games slated for July that rounds out over 22 hours of original USA Softball branded programming on the ESPN family of networks. Along with the title sponsor, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), other national tour sponsors include Dermabond and Lumber Liquidators.
About DERMABOND Adhesive
DERMABOND Adhesive is a topical skin adhesive used by doctors in the O.R. and E.R. to close incisions from surgeries or wounds from injuries. DERMABOND Adhesive may not be right for all types of wounds such as those that are infected or wounds on the eyes, mouth, scalp or joints. Tell your doctor about any skin sensitivities. Your doctor will know if DERMABOND Adhesive is right for you. For more information go to www.DERMABOND.com.
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