July 23, 2006

T'AI-NAN CITY, Taiwan - Facing elimination on Saturday at the 2nd World University Softball Championship in T'ai-nan City, Taiwan, the U.S. World University Games Team pulled together to post a pair of thrilling, extra-inning victories to defend its 2004 event title. The Red, White & Blue outlasted Japan, 3-2 (eight inn.), to advance to the title game where the Americans, after losing twice to Chinese Taipei during the event, enacted revenge over the Chinese by a 4-3 (eight inn.) count to nab the crown.

The U.S. will now head back to the States to contest a four-game exhibition series over July 27-30 against the current leader of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League, the Chicago Bandits (20-3).

Michigan's Samantha Findlay came up with clutch RBI hits in the eighth inning of both contests on Saturday. In the bottom of the eighth against Team Japan and the international tiebreaker in effect, former Tennessee two-time first-team All-American Sarah Fekete was placed on second by rule to christen the frame. A sacrifice bunt by Cambria Miranda advanced Fekete up 60 feet to third base with one retired. Christina Clark and Kristie Fox were both intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a force play at any base. The plan backfired as Findlay came through with the RBI single to left to plate Fekete for the 3-2 victory. Lady Vol rising senior and 2006 first-team All-American Lindsay Schutzler scored Team USA's first tally of the contest in the bottom of the third on a base knock by Tina Boutelle.

That set up a third match-up between the U.S. and Chinese Taipei as the latter had already downed the Red, White & Blue 4-2 and 5-1 during the 2nd World University Softball Championship to secure its place in the title game. With former Michigan hurler Jennie Ritter in control from the circle early in the contest, Schutzler got the American assault started in the bottom of the third with an RBI double to score Lauren Lappin for a 1-0 lead.

Chinese Taipei answered right back in the top of the fourth as a pair of singles and a throwing error on Team USA from the outfield put the Americans in a 2-1 hole.

Schutzler, who was a perfect 3-for-3 in the championship contest, tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single to plate Jackie Rinehart.

The Red, White & Blue loaded the bags in the bottom of the seventh with one down, but Lappin was gunned down at the plate attempting to score from third on a fly ball by Brianne McGowan.

Entering the international tiebreaker in the eighth, Chinese Taipei managed to take a 3-2 lead but only forced across one score in the top half of the inning despite loading the bases.

The U.S. managed to load the bags in its half of the eighth as Fekete was placed on second to start the frame, Miranda reached on an error and Clark singled. Fox hit into a fielder's choice to cut down the lead runner at the plate, but Findlay came through again with a two-RBI double to left to secure a second consecutive World University Games title for the Americans.

The U.S. won the inaugural World University Games event held in Plant City, Fla., during October of 2004. Current Lady Vol pitcher Monica Abbott registered a 1-1 record with a 0.50 ERA and 23 K's in 14 innings of work on her way to a gold medal.

Check into utladyvols.com this summer for game recaps and statistics when available from Tennessee's participation with the various USA Softball programs.

The roster for the World University Games Team is as follows: Callista Balko (Tucson, Ariz., Arizona); Tina Boutelle (Katy, Texas, Texas); Courtney Bures (Haymarket, Va., Mississippi State); Katie Burkhart (San Luis Obispo, Ariz., Arizona State); Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif., Fresno State); Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif., Arizona State); Norrelle Dickson (Orange, Calif., Oklahoma); Sarah Fekete (Maryville, Tenn., Tennessee); Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill., Michigan); Kristie Fox (San Diego, Calif., Arizona); Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif., Stanford); Brianne McGowan (Reno, Nev., Oregon State); Cambria Miranda (Camarillo, Calif., Oregon State); Jackie Rinehart (Reno, Nev., Stanford); Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich., Michigan); Lindsay Schutzler (Monterey, Calif., Tennessee) and Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va., Virginia Tech) will represent the U.S. at the Championship.

The World University Team is skippered by Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins with assistance from coach Mike Larabee (Head Coach at Wright State), coach Mark Lumley (Assistant Coach at Baylor) and coach Jay Miller (Head Coach at Mississippi State).

U.S. in the 2nd World University Championship
Monday, July 17	USA vs. South Africa	USA 15-0 (4)
	USA vs. Thailand	USA 7-0 (5)
Tuesday, July 18	USA vs. Japan	USA 4-2
Wednesday, July 19	USA vs. Australia	USA 9-1 (5)
Thursday, July 20	USA vs. Chinese Taipei	Taipei 4-2
Playoff Round
Friday, July 21	USA vs. Chinese Taipei	Taipei 5-1
Saturday, July 22	USA vs. Japan	USA 3-2 (8)
Gold Medal Game
Saturday, July 22	USA vs. Chinese Taipei	USA 4-3 (8)

* T'ai-nan City, Taiwan is 12 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone