-
World Championship Headquarters
June 22, 2007
Junior Women's World Championships HeadquartersENSCHEDE, Netherlands – Donna Kerr (San Diego, Calif.) pitched three innings of no-hit ball with seven strikeouts and the offense pounded out 10 hits as the USA Junior Team opened up play Friday morning with an 11-0, five-inning win over Puerto Rico at the Junior World Softball Championships.
The USA got on the board in the first inning when Monica Harrison (Garden Grove, Calif.) singled through the left side to drive in GiOnna DiSalvatore (Palm Harbor, Fla.). That would be enough for the pitching staff, but the USA poured on 10 more runs, ending the game due to the run-ahead rule.
“I thought we came out pretty good,” said head coach Jay Miller. “We got a great performance out of Donna Kerr and the offense came around. We scored in each inning, which is a good sign. We weren’t sitting around and coasting on the lead. Defensively, we need to get a little tighter, but we’ll get that worked out.”
Kerr faced nine batters and struck out seven of them, throwing just 43 pitches. Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.) pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit while striking out one.
“My riseball and screwball were working pretty well today, and they were swinging at them,” Kerr said. “Any time you can go out there with a lead, you are a little more relaxed. A win like this is important and will boost our confidence as we head into a tough game with Australia tonight.”
In the second inning, Katie Schroeder (Yorba Linda, Calif.) drove in pinch runner Alissa Haber with a ground out and then Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) drove in two runs with a triple down the right field line, scoring Neena Bryant (Placentia, Calif.) and Rosey Neill (Laguna Hills, Calif.).
The Red, White and Blue broke things open in the third inning, scoring six runs, highlighted by Neill’s two-RBI triple to the gap. Maggie Viefhaus (Pacific, Mo.) drove in two with a double while Bryant and Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.) also had an RBI in the inning.
In the fourth inning, DiSalvatore drove in Schroeder with a single to right field to make it 11-0.
At the plate, Bryant led the way with two hits and an RBI. Schroeder, Lastrapes, DiSalvatore, Viefhaus, Harrison, Hansen, Tiffany Huff and Neill each had one hit in the game.
-
World Championship headquarters
June 22, 2007
USA blanks Australia, 6-0, at Junior World Championships
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands – Ashley Hansen’s two-RBI triple broke open a tight ballgame in the sixth inning as the United States went on to beat Australia 6-0 on Friday evening at the Junior World Softball Championships.
“We had runners on base every inning, but if you get that many on, you’d like to get some more runs,” said head coach Jay Miller. “We left a lot of runs out there tonight and our pitching wasn’t sharp. But it’s an excellent sign that you can come out without your best stuff and still throw shutouts. We’re not clicking on all cylinders, but we keep improving. I’m pleased with the way we started, but I think we can be much better.”
Leading 2-0, Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.) laced a triple to the right-center gap on the first pitch she saw, scoring GiOnna DiSalvatore (Palm Harbor, Fla.) and Neena Bryant (Placentia, Calif.). On the play, with Hansen sliding into third, the throw to the base scooted past the fielder and allowed her to reach home making it 5-0.Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) earned her first win of the tournament going 5.0 innings. The Gatorade National Player of the Year scattered two hits with five strikeouts and two walks, throwing 76 pitches. Megan Elliott (Prince Frederick, Md.) pitched the final two innings, walking one and striking out one.
Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) led off the game with a single to left-center and then stole second base. She moved up on Hansen’s ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.). In the third inning, Haber reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second before scoring on a triple by Maggie Viefhaus (Pacific, Mo.) to the left-center gap.
“It was very important for us to come out and set the tone today so that other teams can see that we’re here for a reason,” Viefhaus said. “It gives us confidence to come out and play like this and hopefully we can continue to do so.”
Leading 2-0, the skies opened up and torrential rain flooded the field, delaying the game almost two hours in the top of the third inning.
The USA added a run in the seventh inning when Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.) doubled to score Monica Harrison (Garden Grove, Calif.), who singled to start the inning.
At the plate, Hansen had two hits and two RBI while Viefhaus had two hits and an RBI. Lastrapes, Harrison, Bianca Mejia (Sylmar, Calif.), Langenfeld and DiSalvatore each had two hits.
-
World Championship Headquarters
June 21, 2007
Junior Women's World Championships HeadquartersESCHEDE, Netherlands - The United States’ run for the gold medal was delayed a day as the final games of the day – including the USA/Puerto Rico match up – were rained out on the first day of the ISF Junior Women’s World Softball Championships.
-
USA hold off Czech Republic
June 21, 2007
USA Men hold off Czech Republic to secure 6-4 winHAVLICKUV, BROD---Holding off a last inning rally by the Czech Republic (1-4), the USA Softball Men’s National Team won its sixth consecutive game on Thursday, 6-4, to remain undefeated in the ISF Men’s World Cup. The U.S. improved to 6-0 in pool play which concludes on Friday with a double-header.For the first time in the tournament the U.S. found itself trailing in a game when the Czech’s took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning but the Red, White and Blue came storming back in the top of the fourth inning after a couple is costly defensive miscues.
Frank DeGroat, Jr. (Ringwood, N.J.) reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to lead off the inning and Mo Kandouse (Patterson, N.J.) was inserted to pinch-run. A trot would be the extent of running Kandouse would have to do as Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) blasted his second home run of the World Cup to left field to give the U.S. a 2-1 advantage.
The Czech Republic came back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. T. Benda led off the inning with a single and scored on a single by V. Svoboda coupled with an error by U.S. right fielder Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.)
The USA regained the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth inning on a solo homer by shortstop Omar Moraga (Agoura Hills, Calif.) and an RBI single by Devine but the pesky Czech’s added a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead in half.
Two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning, which proved to be the difference in the game, increased the U.S. lead to 6-3. Moraga led off the inning with a double to center field and scored on an RBI single by Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wis.). With one out in the inning, DeLarwelle stole second, advanced to third on an error by the shortstop and scored on a wild pitch.
With their home town fans behind them, the Czech’s mounted a come back in the bottom of the seventh inning. L. Prochazka led off with a single and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. A walk to M. Cermak prompted Head Coach Peter Turner to turn to his bull pen to put a stop to the rally.
Sonny Perkins (St. Michael’s, Ariz.) came in to relieve starter Travis Price (Santa Ana, Calif.) with the winning run coming to the plate. D. Mertl greeted Perkins with a single to right field that scored Prochazka but that would be all Perkins and the U.S. defense would allow. A heads-up play by USA first baseman Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) turned a routine out into a double play when he took the throw from second baseman Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.) and laced it to third to pick-off the runner. Perkins wrapped up his first save with a strikeout to end the game.
Price picked up his third win of the World Cup, hurling 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. The USA and the Czech Republic each had eight hits apiece with Moraga and Devin leading the way with three hits apiece for the USA.
The USA will complete the round robin portion of the World Cup on Friday with games against the Prague Stars and Venezuela.
-
Article
June 20, 2007
USA Men Push Record to 4-0 With Easy Win Over Halcones TenerifePRAGUE, CZ – The USA Softball Men’s National Team won its fourth game in a row and second run-rule in the ISF Men’s World Cup, routing Halcones Tenerife of Spain, 21-2, in five innings Wednesday morning. It was the third loss in as many games for Halcones Tenerife.Left-hander B.J. Hunhoff (Harrisburg, SD), the youngest player on the USA team at just 18, made his first start in the pitching circle and allowed just two runs on three hits to collect his first win. He gave up a solo homer in the second inning to Oropeza Merentes over the right center field fence with one out and an RBI single in the third inning by Pena Garcia, scoring Arteaga Matei who had walked to open the inning and went to second on a wild pitch. Hunhoff fanned five batters and walked only one.
The USA scored once in the second inning on a solo homer by catcher Frank DeGroat, Jr., (Ringwood, N.J.) off losing pitcher Escalona Zambrano, who was rocked for 18 hits, including 11 hits in a 14-run fifth inning.
The homer was DeGroat’s third of the World Cup and leads the USA team. DeGroat’s homer was the first of three launched by the USA in the game. Omara Moraga (Agoura Hills, Calif.) hit a solo homer and Tim Hunt (LaHabra, Calif.) also contributed a two-run round-tripper in the 14-run fifth inning.
Daryn Miller (Creve Coeur, Ill.) had three singles in five trips to the plate, driving in three runs, while Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.) drove in five runs with a double and two singles in five at-bats. Hunt also had a pair of singles to go along with his homer to lead the USA offensive attack.
-
USA Softball Undefeated
June 20, 2007
USA Softball remains undefeated in ISF Men’s World Cup with 8-1 win
PRAGUE, CZ --The USA Softball Men's National Team exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to score its second run rule win of the day and third overall of the tournament by defeating Santa Isabel Zaragoza of Spain, 8-1, to remain undefeated in the ISF Men’s World Cup.
Until the fifth inning, the USA, now a perfect 5-0, held only a 2-1 lead against Santa Isabel Zaragoza, which suffered its fourth defeat in as many games.
The USA's Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wisc.) doubled home the first USA run in the bottom of the first inningand Nate Devin (Merced, Calif.) plated the second run with a sacrifice fly that brought home Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph Mo.) who tripled to open the third inning.
Santa Isabel Zaragoza closed the margin to one run in the top of the fifth inningon a solo homer by Miguel Andrade offUSA starter and winning pitcher Cody Thomson (Salt Lake City, Utah). Thomson picked up his first win in two starts after a solid performance that included 12 strikeouts. He allowed only two hits in 4 2/3 innings of work and was replaced by Travis Price (Santa Ana, Calif.) who came in and recorded the final out in the top of the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning the USA picked up the runs it needed to shorten the game to just five innings. The Red, White and Blue got a two-run RBI double by DeLarwelle, an RBI singleby Daryn Miller(Creve Coeur, Ill.) and a three-run walk-off homer by BlakeMiller(Albany, Ga.) tohand pitcher Gabriel Melendez the loss. Melendez hadallowed only three hits through four innings before the USA's bats camealive in fifth inning. Miller'sopposite field shot, which came with one out, was his second in as many games.
The USA finished the game collecting eight hits and was led by DeLarwelle who was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night with a pair of doubles and a single. Miljavac also had multiple hits in the game going 2-for-3 with a triple and a single.
Next up for the USA is a showdown with the host team, Czech Republic, on Thursday, June 21, at 1 p.m. CST in Havlickuv Brod, which is60 miles southeast of Prague in Eastern Bohemia.The USA will complete round-robin play on Friday, June 22 when they take on the Prague Stars and undefeated Venezuela. The Page Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 23.
-
ASA ISC Pitcher Development
June 19, 2007
ASA/ISC Pitcher Development Program is off to a great startOne month into the joint ASA/ISC Pitcher Development program, we’re happy to report what appears to be an overwhelming success. On May 15th, USA Softball National Teams Director Ronnie Isham and ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister made the initial announcement on various softball related websites. Since that time, 26 individuals have signed up for the program. Those who have submitted applications range from age 6 to 28 and hail from all over the USA. Breakdowns of those who are now part of the program are as follows:By Age:
Age 6-10: 2
Age 11-15: 6
Age 16-20: 9
Age 20-30: 9
By State:
MO: 5
MI: 4
MN: 3
NM: 3
MD: 2
CA: 2
IA: 1
OH: 1
KS: 1
SD: 1
PA: 1
MS: 1
CT: 1
The ASA and ISC would like to thank all those that have applied thus far and want to extend this invitation to any other male under the age of 30 who is interested in developing as a pitcher.
Students have the opportunity to work with USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team Pitching Coach Gary Mullican or former USA National Team pitcher Michael White. The program at this time is strictly a video analysis program. Applicants will be asked to submit a videotape every 30-60 days, depending on age and skill level. One of the two instructors will then evaluate the video and make corrections/suggestions, which will be communicated back to the applicant. The instructors will also supply the applicant with drills that will help to improve their overall mechanics. This program is open to players of all skill levels, from raw beginners to more advanced pitchers. There is no cost for the program other than normal postage cost to submit the video. Funding for the program is being provided jointly by the ASA and ISC.
Applications are available for download on the USA Softball website under the Junior Men’s National Team folder and the ISC website at www.iscfastpitch.com under the Developmental and Rules and Forms links from the front page. These web site links will have a program application and a sample email analysis to review. Or for more information, please contact the program administrator, Scott Standerfer, at Standerfer@mchsi.com.
-
USA Softball Come From Behind
June 19, 2007
USA Softball Come From Behind to Take Down Denmark, 9-4PRAGUE, CZ –Trailing 3-0, the USA Softball Men’s National Team came storming back to register a 9-4 decision over Denmark (1-1) Tuesday morning (June 19th) to remain undefeated in the ISF World Cup.The USA, which meets Japan in a late game Tuesday evening, fell behind when Denmark scored on an RBI single by Rasmus Sorensen in the first inning, a solo homer by Jesper Panduro in the second inning and a passed ball in the third inning against USA starter Cody Thomson (Salt Lake City, Utah). But the USA cut the margin to a lone run with a pair of solo homers by Omar Moraga (Agoura Hills, Calif.) and Frank DeGroat, Jr., (Ringwood, N.J.) off losing pitcher Kim Hansen in the fourth inning. Hansen was rocked for four runs and seven hits in four and one-third innings.
DeGroat’s homer was his second of the competition and landed in the trees over the fence in left center. Moraga’s homer was his first of the competition and went over the right field fence.
The USA then took command of the game for good, scoring six runs on five hits in the fifth inning. Daryn Miller (Creve Coeur, Ill.) had two RBI, Moraga, Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa) and Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wisc.) all had one RBI for the USA in the inning. Miller scored the final USA run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by catcher Adam LaLonde (Cheboygan, Mich.), who played an outstanding game on defense either throwing out or picking off four Danish base runners. Omar Moraga was 3-for-4 with two RBI and is hitting .667 for the tournament.
USA starter Thomson hurled 2 2/3 innings with B.J. Hunhoff (Harrisburg, SD), the youngest player on the USA team, hurling 1 1/3 innings and Travis Price (Santa Ana, CA) getting his second win in as many games hurling 3 2/3 innings. The USA collected 12 hits while Denmark had eight.
The USA National Men’s Team is moves to 2-0 in the ISF World Cup in Prague, CZ, and is set to face Japan, who finished fifth at the last ISF Men’s World Championship, at 8:00 p.m. (1:00 pm CST) on Tuesday, June 19. Denmark dropped to 1-1.
For additional information or interviews with players on the USA Softball Men’s National Team contact Bill Plummer at 202 352 2629.
-
Millers Homer Propels USA
June 19, 2007
Miller’s Homer Propels USA Softball to Third Straight WinPRAGUE, CZ---Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.), one of the smallest players on the USA Softball Men’s National Team at 5’10” and 165 pounds, came up with one of the biggest hits so far in the ISF World Cup Tuesday night in a 4-1 win over Japan, who is ranked fifth in the world.With the teams scoreless after one inning, Miller hit an opposite field two-run homer to right center to give the USA an early 2-0 lead. Miller’s homer—his first and the fifth for the USA in three games—came off losing pitcher Tatsuya Hamaguchi.
“The ball was a dipper (drop ball),” Miller said. “It was a great pitch to hit and I was glad that I could give us an early lead.”
After Miller’s homer, which had Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) aboard after reaching on a fielder’s choice, Japan cut the margin in half by scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning. Ryuji Hazeyama tripled to the left field corner to open the inning and scored on a fielder’s choice by Shubei Suzuki. It was the only run allowed by USA starter and winning pitcher Sonny Perkins (St. Michaels, Ariz.) who allowed only five hits in his first start at the World Cup. He fanned four and walked three.
The USA added to its lead in the fourth on an RBI single by Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wisc.) that scored Lucas Goring (St. Paul, Minn.), who reached on a bunt to lead off the inning and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.).
An exclamation point was added in the sixth inning after Devine led off with a monster home run that cleared the trees in left field that gave the U.S. a comfortable 4-1 advantage.
Goring had a pair of singles in three at-bats to lead the USA six-hit attack.
Now 3-0, the USA will play two club teams from Spain on Wednesday, Halcones Tenerife and Santa Isabel Zaragoza.
-
USA Men to make ISF World Cup debut
June 18, 2007
USA Men to make ISF World Cup debutOKLAHOMA CITY – With some new faces, the USA Men’s National Team will make its season debut in the ISF World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic June 18-24 at the Czech Baseball and Softball Center.Besides the USA, other competing teams are the Japan National Team, Venezuela National Team, Denmark National Team, Czech Republic National Team, the Netherlands (DeMo EHS), the Prague Stars from the Czech Republic, and two club teams from Spain, Santa Isabel Zaragoza and Halcones Tenerife.
The round-robin competition begins Monday at the Czech Baseball and Softball Center in Prague, which has three softball and two baseball diamonds, will continue through Saturday, June 23, with the Page playoffs scheduled Sunday, June 24th.
The ASA website will have day-by-day reports and photos of all of the USA games plus the Page playoffs.
Peter Turner is the USA head coach with Avon Meacham, former member of the Men’s National Team Selection Committee and Thad Brown his assistant coaches. Team leader is Dan Highland of Bloomington, Ill.
“We’re taking a team that has a mix of veterans and newcomers (five),” USA Head Coach Turner said. ‘’Our focus is not only to win but built the program (Men’s National Team) with new talent that has not experienced the international game. The (Men’s National Selection) Committee believes we can accomplish a great deal over the next few years taking this approach. I am looking forward to the event and believe we will have a favorable outcome.”
Following the World Cup, the USA National Team will compete next in the KFC American Challenge Series in Oklahoma City, July 13-15, which will be the first time an ISF men’s event has been held in the U.S. since the ISF Men’s World Fast Pitch Championship in Midland, Mich. in 1996.
Besides the USA National Team, the other teams competing in the KFC American Challenge Cup include the Venezuela National Team, Japan National Team and the Dominican Republic National Team.For more tournament information please click http://worldcup07.czechsoftball.com/