Team USA Triumphs Over Midwest Collegiate All-Star Team
June 18, 2008 | Softball
The U.S. National Olympic Team defeated the Midwest Collegiate All-Stars 20-1 Tuesday night at Zenoff Park in Stevens Point, Wis.
Although their team lost, Wisconsin players Leah Vanevenhoven (Kaukauna, Wis.) and Lynn Anderson (Neenah, Wis.) both found the game a great experience.
'Our coach just said to go out there and have fun,' said Vanevenhoven. 'Tonight was a great opportunity to play against the best team in the world and I am grateful for the experience.'
When Anderson watched some of Team USA's earlier games on T.V. she mainly watched to see how the pitchers approached each batter and how shortstop Natasha Watley played her position.
'I got to chat with Tasha for a few seconds when she was on second base in the first inning,' stated Anderson. 'Being able to talk to her, someone who I look up to, was great.'
After both teams shook hands after the game, Vanevenhoven commented, 'that was probably the most surreal moment of these last few days and just being able to talk to all of the players up close as opposed to seeing them on T.V.'
Team USA did not allow a ball out of the infield all game as former Tennessee standout Monica Abbott struck out 12 batters on the night.
Midwest Collegiate's lone run occurred in the sixth inning as Jill Janke from UW-Eau Claire was placed on third base and scored as Korryn Brooks of UW-Stevens Point hit a sacrifice fly to center field.
Jennie Finch, who played first base in the game, finished a perfect 2-for-2 effort at the plate with two walks.
Badger pitcher Vanevenhoven started the game in the circle for the All-Star team and surrendered two consecutive singles before walking Jessica Mendoza. Vanevenhoven and Brooks later combined for a play at the plate to prevent Mendoza from scoring.
Andrea Duran gave Team USA the early 4-0 lead when she hit a three-run homer over the right-center field fence in the first inning. Vanevenhoven held the U.S. National Team to just one run in the second inning as Caitlin Lowe scored on Mendoza's sacrifice fly.
Chelsea Rosenow of Winona State was the first Midwest Collegiate base runner allowed by Team USA as she reached on a throwing error by Abbott in the second inning. Casey Leisgang, a member of the UW-Eau Claire 2008 NCAA Division III National Championship team, recorded the lone hit of the game for the All-Star team with her single to right field.
