March 11, 2004

Box Score

Waco, Texas -The Baylor Lady Bears softball team fell to Team USA in a pair of exhibition games at Getterman Stadium today, losing to the national team 8-0 in game one and dropping a 10-0 decision in game two.

The Lady Bears hung close with Team USA in both games; however, the fifth inning proved to be the difference in both games, as the national team scored five runs in the fifth in game one and nine runs in the fifth of game two.

"It was a great experience for our team," head coach Glenn Moore said. "Playing the best competition in the world has helped us improve as a team and I think the experience will help the team tremendously as the season moves on."

In game one, Team USA grabbed an early lead with two runs in the first and a run in the second for a 3-0 lead. A pair of two out RBI hits in the first inning, one by Lisa Fernandez and another by Jenny Topping, gave Team USA a 2-0 lead. In the third, Natasha Watley scored on a Leah O'Brien-Amico single to give the national team a three run cushion.

Baylor pitcher Cristin Vitek held Team USA scoreless over the next two innings; however, a five-run outburst in the fifth gave Team USA an 8-0 edge. The key hit of the innings came when Laura Berg hit a three-run homer over the right field fence to end the scoring in the inning.

The Lady Bears were unable to score in the bottom of the inning, giving Team USA the 8-0 victory.

Carrie Leerberg and Kim Wilmoth were the only Lady Bears to manage a hit off of Fernandez, as the standout pitcher picked up another victory on the team's 'Aiming for Athens' tour.

Vitek took the loss for the Lady Bears, allowing eight runs over five innings.

In the second game, Baylor trailed Team USA 1-0 heading into the fifth; however, nine unearned runs in the inning allowed Team USA to capture the 10-0 victory.

Baylor had an opportunity to tie the game in the fourth after Kelly Levesque doubled and Kelly Osburn singled. However, with runners on second and third, Team USA pitcher Jenny Finch managed to end the scoring threat, setting up the decisive fifth inning.

In the fifth, Team USA capitalized on five Baylor errors, posting nine runs in the inning for a 10-0 lead. The national team hit two home runs in the inning, as Kelly Kretschman hit a home run over the center field scoreboard and Crystal Buston hit a blast over the left field wall to end the scoring in the inning and give Team USA a 10-0 lead.

Baylor went down in order in the bottom of the inning, ending the three-game exhibition series with Team USA with a record of 0-3.

Lisa Ferguson took the loss for Baylor; however, was impressive while allowing only one earned run in five innings of work.

Finch picked up the victory for Team USA, as the team remains undefeated on its current 'Aiming for Athens' tour.

Baylor will return to regular season action on Monday, March 15, as the team hosts Houston at Getterman Stadium. First pitch of the meeting with the Cougars is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.