Team USA plays softball exhibition at Bowman Field
By CHRIS MASSE, cmasse@sungazette.comArticle Photos
By 3:30 p.m., thousands of fans already were stretched across the dike behind Bowman Field and spilling onto Fourth St. An hour later so many fans were waiting to get in that police were needed to keep them from blocking incoming cars.
Softball fans of all ages couldn’t wait to see one of the world’s best teams, in addition to some local stars, and all those players did not disappoint. Catcher Lauren Lappin hit two home runs and drove in three runs, while Jennie Finch threw a two-hit shutout that included 19 strikeouts as Team U.S.A. blanked Longstreth, 15-0.
”We were excited to come out and play in Williamsport and put on a good show,” Lappin said. “Jennie did a great job in the circle and our bats came through as usual.”
The Olympians won their 13th straight game on their ”Bound 4 Beijing Tour” in preparation for the 2008 Olympics and did so in front of their second largest crowd yet.
Announced attendance for Thursday’s game was estimated at over 4,312 and almost every seat was filled, with many more still waiting in line, by 6:30 p.m. when pre-game festivities began. The only game that drew more fans during the tour was in Plant City, Fla., when 4,879 attended.
“It’s special to see the excitement and 4300 fans out here is incredible and we’re humbled and we’re so thankful,” Finch said. “It’s awesome to see the opportunity that is out there for young women now and to just see how far the sport has grown.”
Young girls dominated the crowd demographic and their softball heroes gave them what they came to see. Team USA scored eight first-inning runs, hit four home runs and made no errors. The reigning world champions played flawless softball while showing youth softball players of all levels the possibilities that exist in their futures.
“Softball’s popularity is at an all-time high, and it’s exciting times for us and the future of our sport. It’s great,” said Finch, who struck out the side four times. “There was so much pink out there and so many little Finch shirts and it’s so awesome.”
One could say the same about Team USA’s first-inning offensive explosion. The three-time defending Olympic champions belted six hits, five for extra bases, as they showed all in attendance why they are so dominant.
Andrea Duran highlighted the first inning rally with a two-run home run, while Natasha Watley and Jessica Mendoza drove in four runs with a triple and double, respectively.
“There were a lot of jitters but once we settled down and realized we had to give them as good a game as possible to help them prepare for the Olympics and we went out there and every inning we played as hard as we can,” said Longstreth first baseman Brenna Eck, a former Williamsport and Shippensburg standout. “The power they had was eye-opening. They definitely hit it a lot harder than it looks on TV.”
Prior to the Olympians taking the field, the District 4 Coaches Association inducted its inaugural Hall of Fame Class. It was a special moment for six Lycoming County players who were introduced in front of the cheering fans, including Williamsport’s Erica Miller, South Williamsport’s Denise Day, Hughesville’s Angie Stackhouse and Muncy’s Missy Force.
“This is amazing. I never expected it, but it’s quite an honor,” said Miller, the 2001 Division II Player of the Year while at Bloomsburg University. “I was amazed by the size of the crowd and the passion they showed for softball. It’s awesome.”
