July 19, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

Box Score

Photo Gallery

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The USA Women's National Softball Team defeated the Midwest All-Stars 15-0 Friday evening at Meador Park in front of a crowd of 3,012 fans. Although the final score was lopsided, four former Salukis, and head coach Kerri Blaylock who served as an assistant coach, shared a memorable experience against the top players in the world.

USA left-handed starting pitcher, and former University of Texas standout Cat Osterman limited the Midwest All-Stars to a pair of hits, while recording 17 strikeouts in the win.

The group of former Salukis, Tiffanie Dismore, Lauren Haas, Krystal Stein and Becky Wegmann, fell victim to Osterman's stellar performance in the circle, and combined to go 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

"It was an unbelievable experience, and exciting to play in front of such a large crowd," said Stein, who played left field and third base. "We fouled a lot of pitches off which gave us confidence, but they had a little bit of an edge on us. Ultimately though it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Wegmann, who started at shortstop and provided defense with an assist, was one of the few Midwest All-Stars who put the bat on the ball against the NCAA career strikeout record holder.

"Even though we lost it was so much fun to be able to play with the girls (Lauren, Tiffanie and Krystal) again," said Wegmann. "The whole event was planned so well, and the coaches were great. It was also cool to play on the same team with other MVC players who we faced during our careers."

Wegmann proceeded to fly out to deep center field, before Wichita State's Katie McGeeney hit a rocket off Osterman's glove to put runners on first and second with two outs. The hard-throwing southpaw recovered though with another strikeout to end the inning, and the Midwest's best scoring opportunity.

Team USA pounded former Missouri State All-Missouri Valley Conference pitcher Melissa Porche early with 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits in the first 1 2/3 innings en route to its 55th KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour win.

Ashly Bright (Wichita State) and Katy Henry (Arkansas) combined for the final 4 1/3 innings of relief, and held Team USA scoreless in the fourth and sixth innings. Bright and Henry also recorded two strikeouts apiece.

Haas, the 2008 MVC Player of the Year, and Dismore also recorded two and one putout on defense respectively.

The U.S.A. will take on the Stratford Brakettes in its next competition Sunday evening at 7 p.m. EST, and has just four tour games remaining before heading to Beijing on August 4, and beginning the 2008 Summer Olympics on August, 12.