Posted on: Saturday, June 16, 2001

UH to play host to softball's U.S. Cup

Advertiser Staff

All of last year's Olympic semifinalists will play here next week (June 21-24) in the inaugural U.S. Cup softball tournament, with Australia bringing three Wahine "home."

Former University of Hawai'i All-Americans Brooke Wilkins and Kelly Gentle will pitch for Australia. Kate Judd, the Wahine's starting shortstop the past two seasons, is also on the team.

Felicity Witt, a 20-game winner for the Wahine last season, was scheduled to play for Australia, but was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her rib after Hawai'i's NCAA Regional appearance and is resting.

Tickets are $5 daily, or $3 per day for groups of 15 or more (must be bought in advance). All tickets are general admission and can be purchased by calling the Hawai'i ASA (595-8763) or mailing a check to Hawai'i ASA, P.O. Box 22001, Honolulu, 96823-2001.

Softball has been an Olympic sport at the past two Games, with Team USA capturing both gold medals. Japan, Australia and China are the only teams to defeat the U.S. since the 1998 ISF Women's World Championships.

Australia, which won the bronze medal in Sydney, plays fourth-place China in Thursday's opener at 3 p.m. at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The U.S takes on Japan at 5 p.m. in the first sequel to last summer's gold medal game.

The Americans face China on Friday (5 p.m.), following the Japan-Australia game (3 p.m.). Saturday, China takes on Japan at 3 p.m., followed by the U.S. and Australia (5 p.m.).

The bronze medal game begins at 1 p.m., Sunday, with the gold medal game following at 3 p.m.

Team USA plays the Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL) Gold Team on ESPN tomorrow at 9 a.m. HST.