Team USA combines to defeat USA Softball of Southern California All-Stars in 10-0 shutout

June 14, 2017

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Team USA combines to defeat USA Softball of Southern California All-Stars in 10-0 shutout at Deanna Manning Stadium

 

IRVINE, Calif. — On a day where fans around the globe celebrated World Softball Day, Team USA kicked off the 2017 season with a 10-0 shutout over the USA Softball of Southern California All-Stars, USA Softball announced today. In front of a packed house at Deanna Manning Stadium, the USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) combined to plate 10 runs on 12 hits through six innings of work in their first exhibition game of the summer.

 

“I was pretty pleased with the mix of veterans and younger members of our team tonight,” said Head Coach Ken Eriksen. “For not getting into the bulk of our training, the team showed an eagerness that bodes well for the summer.”

 

Both teams went down in order to start the game, but Team USA struck in the second inning after Jazmyn Jackson (San Jose, Calif.) blasted a lead-off home run over the centerfield fence. The Red, White and Blue carried their 1-0 lead to the third inning before adding on an additional four runs to extend their lead, 5-0. Kelsey Stewart (Wichita, Kan.) led off the third frame by taking first base on a hit-by-pitch and a short time later in the same inning would cross home as Amanda Chidester (Allen Park, Mich.) went yard to make it a 3-0 ballgame. Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif.) drew a walk but was later called out at second on a fielder’s choice after a single by Jackson. Jackson would advance to third as Delaney Spaulding (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) reached first on a walk. With runners on both corners and two outs, Jenna Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) hit a straight shot into right field to record a two-RBI triple.

 

Backed by a strong pitching staff which continued to hold the Southern California All-Stars off the board, the U.S. tacked on another two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles would plate Arioto and Jackson before Hannah Flippen (San Diego, Calif.) hit an RBI single to center field. With two outs and a 6-0 lead, Aubree Munro (Brea, Calif.) followed it up with an RBI single herself to plate Jackson and increase the lead before the inning’s end.

 

The score would remain through the fifth despite the Southern California All-Stars loading the bases, and both teams moved on to compete in the final and sixth inning of the evening.

 

Arioto doubled to lead off the sixth inning for the U.S. and would be brought home on a two-out RBI homer by Munro. Janie Takeda (Placentia, Calif.) followed suit and hit a home run far over the right field fence, dipping into Team USA’s double-digit lead and ultimately sealing the deal for their first win of the season.

 

The USA Softball WNT looks ahead towards Thursday’s exhibition game in which they face world-ranked No. 10 Mexico at 7 p.m. PT at Deanna Manning Stadium inside Bill Barber Park. In addition to the exhibition games, members of the USA Softball WNT and coaching staff will also conduct a players camp tomorrow, June 14 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. PT.  Led by Team USA Head Coach Ken Eriksen, attendees will have the opportunity to get hands on training and instruction from the best softball players in the world.  Limited space is available, with the camp open to players age 8-18. 

 

Fans at home can follow along all summer long with the USA Softball National Teams at USASoftball.com.

 

About USA Softball
USA Softball is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., and is designated as the National Governing Body (NGB) of Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. One of the nation’s largest sports organizations, USA Softball sanctions competition in every state through a network of 70 local associations and has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 150,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2 million.  USA Softball is dedicated to providing people of all ages the opportunity to play the game they love at a variety of levels by offering recreational, league, tournament and competitive play for fast pitch, slow pitch and modified pitch.  USA Softball annually conducts thousands of tournaments throughout the country including over 100 National Championships.  The USA Softball umpire program is among the nation’s largest and are widely known as the best trained umpires in the game.

As the NGB for the sport of softball, USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in events such as the Olympics, Pan American Games, World Championships and other international and domestic events. For more information on USA Softball, including its founding and history as the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), please visit, www.USASoftball.com.

 

Katie Willis I Communications Coordinator

USA Softball

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111
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Visit Us Online: USASoftball.com

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