|
2008 Preview
<br />Since 2004, they have become mothers, spouses, coaches, and
<br />college graduates. They have on National Championships,
<br />World Cup titles, and a World Championship. They have ad-
<br />vanced their sport at the professional level and brought popularity
<br />through apparel, commercials and clinics. They have been devas-
<br />tated by an IOC decision that has changed their lives forever.
<br />Amidst the whirlwind of change during the last fourveans, the USA
<br />Softball Women's National team has endured. And one thing is forcer-
<br />tain; their dominance still rernams.rhev are ranked No. I in the scudd,
<br />posted a 24-1 record over the 200" summer events, and are armed and
<br />dangerous heading to Beijing.
<br />Leading the Back are three-time Olympic gold medalists, 14alana Berg
<br />Fx
<br />Referred to as one of the best outfielders in the world, Berg has captured
<br />gold at four World Championships and three Pan -American Games as
<br />well as received the honor of carrying the Ilag during closing ceremo-
<br />nies at the 2007 Pan American Games.
<br />Right-handed (Long, Beal"Ah, CaRI) makes her
<br />return to the National Team roster after a three year hiatus after having
<br />son Antonio in 2005. She has pitched in three Olympic Games, including
<br />earning the win in the circle of the 5-1 Gold medal victory over Australia
<br />in 2004.
<br />The next veteran group consists of two-time Olympic gold medalists
<br />'11 Btalfcl Carvr n (.',ourtm CaM,) and Sia<ev Nuvenmjai �L,' %Aeri,4
<br />Busies has established herself as one of the most feared hitters in
<br />the World and will look- to earn herthird Olympic gold medal Team USA
<br />will looE to her fora repeat performance of the 2004 Games where she
<br />broke two Olympic records; most homermis with five, most RBI with 10
<br />and tied most runs scored at nine.
<br />Catcher -Suacey Nalvevallua iLa Verne; was an integral part in both
<br />the 2000 and 2004 Ofyinpic Games with homeruns in both gold medal
<br />games as well as wanking behind the plate in the final game. The UCLA
<br />graduate returns to the squad after taking off the 2007 season with the
<br />birth of her son, Chase.
<br />The 2004 Olympic Games brought eight new gold medal-
<br />ists to USA history. Known then as the rookies, these nine
<br />athletes are back in '08 with experience and knowledge.
<br />Two-time World Champion, ,ja,,nnila, Fbicja fi-ala, ffada CalH.' is back and
<br />brings rise ball strength to the Ruching staff. She will look- to become
<br />a two-time Olympian, after making the National Team for her seventh
<br />consecutive season. Finch has dominated in the circle, even coming
<br />back three months after having her son Ace in 2006 to compete the
<br />remainder of the season.
<br />Outfielder
<br />Jessic )vieklcioza ((,"'amarfflo Calif.) has been one of the lot)
<br />ran producers on the USA National Team since the 2001 season. In 2006,
<br />she played a major role in the I I.S. winning its first World Cut) as well as
<br />its set eriffiWorld Championship title, including hitting the game -win-
<br />ning lionicrum in the gold medal game of the World Championships.
<br />A utility plaver at first, third and catcher, T.--ina Fioa-ver�, fTl ,_son A� iz,)
<br />has been a solid player for the red, white and blue with six seasons of
<br />experience at the National level. She emerged this past 2007 leading the
<br />team throughout the summer with a batting average of 543 including
<br />her first career grand darn at the World Cap of Softball.
<br />A highly recognized shortstop, Xnlaslaa cVlo ley 0r vine D-Alif,) loins list-
<br />seventh National team after an exceptional 2007 season. She hit A66
<br />with 27 four and a team high two triples, scoring 21 runs. She started all
<br />nine games at the '0 Olympic Games, tying a learn-best 12 hills; for a .400
<br />average.
<br />A 2000 Olympic team alternate and 2004 Olympic team member, Keliv
<br />a. X C'
<br />Ka-a-ast-linlaia ilndian f', rh�)r Be,,,01, makes her second-consecutive
<br />season on the team roster after a vear absence. Kretschman played in all
<br />nine games of the 2004 Games and was the only one on the roster to hit
<br />at least one single, double, triple and homerun for a .333 average.
<br />Providing depth behind the CaRj
<br />enters the 2008 National team roster far her seventh season. Topping
<br />saw action in four games during the 2004 Olympic Games, going 446-6
<br />for a .667 average.
<br />Ltyvx' � �:
<br />Jan au ! -J� tai ri 'Va! iev, al if,, returns at second base and has been
<br />a familiar face on the NanonalTearn level since 2002 when she made
<br />her fi nat appearance at the ISE VTorld Championships. She is a two-time
<br />World Champion and Pan American Champion and is looking to earn her
<br />second Olympic gold medal after drawing a team-high five walks during
<br />the '04 Games.
<br />A South paw from Houston, Texas, a "at ")swgmnlaal. Hlollst.0111, Texasl has
<br />emerged as one of the best pitchers in the world since 2004. Defeating
<br />some of the world's top teams, she has earned the start in the circle in
<br />big games including the championship games at both the 2006 and 2007
<br />World Cup and the 2006 World Championships.
<br />Anrateinl C:alif,l, theyoungest mernberrafthe 2004
<br />National Team at 19, served as an alternate at the 2004 Olympic Games.
<br />She had a stellar return to the National Team roster in 20071 hitting
<br />fourth on the team with a .480 (12-for-25) average.
<br />Completing the roster are the five young guns who have
<br />certainly made an impact on the team. Two pitchers, two
<br />infielders and an outfielder, these recent college graduates
<br />are ready to make their impact and bring home the fourth
<br />gold.
<br />Right - handed pitcher tic = train oa-vt-11 € S AU i 'st CaM,) ism herthird-
<br />consecutive vear on the National team after leading the University of Ari-
<br />zona to the 2006 WCWS title. She brings another right-handed pitcher
<br />to the pitching staff and carried her first World Championship title in
<br />2006. In 15 appearances as a member of the National Team, Hollowell
<br />has posted an ERA of 0.19with a 7-1 record.
<br />Also in the circle is dornmant leftv'o, ollic,—Abbot- `.,,L as CaVA
<br />who completed her NC AA eligibility in 2007 setting several collegiate
<br />records. The youngest member ol"I'cam t1SA, she is a two-time team
<br />member and has also competed on the 2004 scurld University and 2003
<br />Junior'scomen 'a National Teams.
<br />Third baseman And rea Dulnluo fqdma, C al , is making her third-con-
<br />secutive appearance on the National Team roster after spending time on
<br />the World I Iniversity, Elite and Junior team rosters. She is also a two-time
<br />World Cut) Champion as well as 2006 World Champion.
<br />Also in tire infield isVickv Galhclo N'lnion who combines
<br />for speed, power and defensive play as an all around player. Seeing time
<br />at second and designated player, Galindo is coming off an outstanding
<br />2007 where she was second on the team with a .500 (18-for-36) batting
<br />average and no errors in the field.
<br />Last but certainly not least is lead-off Bitter CIliffliai Llawe Gn!�f)
<br />who is making her fourth consecutive appearance on the National team
<br />roster. Since 2005 this outstanding outfielder has contributed 741 hits and
<br />scored 60 runs, the third best of the team.
<br />Coaches for the 2008 USA Softball Women's Olympic Team will be I lead
<br />'mcla all il", Caa add- a 0', cs� -,n, A from the University of Arizona,
<br />- - xwla' "Joic '� -r� if , C, '::f", Assir�-,anl:
<br />Cc kIYArcy(Sac
<br />Coach la a'. .1 -'a ,
<br />-oajoflils rwhi.p.pany" N."JI and .`ll Msv a14 Colwh'john l.Iiat:-
<br />it iaa l f"aflf", from vtarffordlmiversftv.
<br />
|