Softball wins third World Cup title

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The USA Softball Women's National Team secured its third World Cup title with a 3-1 decision over Australia Monday night in front of 4,737 fans tonight at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla. The KFC World Cup of Softball presented by Six Flags was a success with over 20,000 fans attending the five-day event with the final standings as follows; United States (gold), Australia (silver), Canada (bronze), Japan (fourth), Netherlands (fifth) and Italy (sixth).

"The World Cup is a special event because we are playing in front of our home fans. We don't get to do that very often. We got to go on tour in 2004 and 2008 but this is a special place, this home stadium", said Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.) of the event. "It's really fun to play in front of our crowd and hear 'USA' cheers throughout the stadium. It's a special feeling and we're really happy to be here. We are really excited we were able to play so well this week."

Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.) made that start in the Championship game, recording seven of the first nine outs via the strikeout. Abbott allowed a hit in the third, by Clare Warwick, but two strikeouts swinging left a runner stranded.

Australian starting pitcher Justine Smethurst did her part in circle allowing only one USA runner to reach, Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.) off a single, through two innings. After a less than stellar opening to her 2009 season, Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.) came through when it really mattered. Lappin launched a homerun over right field to lead off the third inning and begin a scoring drive that saw the USA score three runs.

"We have a solid group of returners trying to set the tone but these younger girls, they came in and they were ready to go and excited to be a part of it. It's been an honor to kind of help lead this team now. The young girls have done a great job obviously. This team has really excelled this week," said Lappin. "One through nine plus the nine on the bench can contribute in this lineup-that's what is so exciting. If I'm not getting the job done today, I know that my teammate behind me is going to. It's really easy to play like that. We're able to be relaxed and go out there and try do whatever we can to help each other be successful. It's a full team effort."

The momentum continued with a double by Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.) but shifted in the favor of Australia when they recorded two outs. Haber came through with a single up the middle to score Hansen, who had advanced to third on a groundout. With Haber at second, after a steal, Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.) was intentionally walked. The bases were loaded with a walk issued to Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.). Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.) singled up the middle for the final run of the inning and a 3-0 Team USA lead.

In the top of the fourth, Stacey Porter cut the lead to 3-1 with a homerun to right field. In the top of the sixth, it looked like the lead could be threatened again when two runners reached. Porter again singled and then Tracey Mosley was hit by a pitch. This brought in an USA pitching change as Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) entered the circle to work the final one and 2/3 innings. Osterman would go on to throw three strikeouts to earn her second save of the season.

"I think both Cat and I were (throwing well) and all the pitchers on our team-Cat, Jennie, Katie Burkhart and Stacey Nelson-were," said Abbott. "One thing that we're all great at is that we can throw a whole game ourselves but we all complement each other very well so you can mix and match as many different ways as possible. In reality, each batter could see each pitcher only once if we really wanted to. I think that's the strength of the USA pitching staff."

Abbott took the win with 11 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. She allowed one earned run and gave up four hits. Team USA held their lead through four innings for the victory.

With an 18-0 record, the USA Softball Women's National Team wraps up it season complete with two gold medal finishes, Canada Cup and World Cup. Next up for the USA Softball Program is the Japan Cup in Sendai City, July 31 - Aug.2, and the Pan American Games qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, July 31-Aug. 9.