EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

USA Softball Storms into Bowie

Published on July 2, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - The USA National team swept a doubleheader against the USA Junior National softball team in front of nearly 3,500 fans at Prince George's stadium Saturday evening. The two teams made a stop in Bowie as part of a summer softball tour.

The National team took an early lead and dominated the first game in the doubleheader against the Junior National team. They scored runs in the first four innings of the seven-inning game en route to winning 11-0.

The Junior National team held the National team scoreless during the fifth and sixth innings and threatened to score in the top of the sixth, but were unable to come away with any runs after putting runners on second and third base.

National team center fielder Rhea Taylor and third baseman Stacy May-Johnson led their team with three runs scored in the first game and designated hitter/first baseman Valeriee Arioto led all players with three RBIs.

In the second game, the Junior National team and pitcher Lauren Haeger kept the game close for the first five innings, but still fell 7-0. After allowing two runs on a two-run home run by Ashley Holcombe in the top of the second inning, Haeger threw two scoreless innings before surrendering a solo home run to Lauren Gibson in the top of the fifth inning. The National team added four runs in the sixth to take control of the game.

The Junior National team recorded their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, and had their best scoring chance in the bottom of the sixth after recording three hits. Shelby Pendley was thrown out at home plate from center field while attempting to score the first run for the Junior National team.

Two Anne Arundel County natives appeared in the game, one for each side. National team second baseman Lauren Gibson, a Pasadena, Md., native went 1-3 with a run scored in the first game and homered in the second game.

"It was really nice because I haven't been able to play in front of my hometown in a while because I'm from the University of Tennessee so nobody is able to travel that far except for my parents," Gibson said. "It was really nice to play in front of my friends and my family."

Junior National team designated hitter Kourtney Salvarola, an Arnold, Md., native went 0-2 with a walk in the first game.

"It's nice because we are playing these games to try to spread the game of softball and get people to get involved," Salvarola said. "Bringing it back to my hometown means a lot because it's awesome to have fans come out and support us and it's awesome to see my family. I enjoy seeing the girls that I played against or with little sisters and brothers get to come out and watch softball."

For Gibson, this is her first year on the National team and so far she has enjoyed the experience.

"It's probably one of the most amazing experiences ever," Gibson said. "I can't ask for anything that's better than playing for my country. I really enjoy spending time with the girls and being able to meet new people and it's been awesome."

Playing with the Junior National team has allowed Salvarola to build friendships that will last throughout her softball career and beyond.

"As a team, we have all grown to be very close; we really enjoy each other's company," Salvarola said. "The majority of us, other than one girl, will be going to college and it's fun that we are getting to know each other because we will get to play each other. We have all been able to challenge our abilities just playing together and that's a huge accomplishment."

The USA National team uses exhibition games against the Junior National team as a way to practice and prepare for international tournaments coming later in the summer. The new and young group of girls has used these exhibitions games as an opportunity to bond as a team.

"It's really important because our first international tournament is next Saturday and we open with Australia and then that night we have Japan," said USA coach Ken Eriksen. "This being a completely new team, it's very important that we got eight-to-10 games in against quality competition in the juniors. We still have 12 kids that are still in college, so for us to get going against their type of pitching, which is pretty good; we were able to function on the field defensively, do some offensive plays. I thought would really benefit us in the long run.

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox 19th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com.

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Eastern League Stories from July 2, 2011


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