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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 15, 2002

Team USA to defend Cup title

Advertiser Staff

Team USA, the most successful women's softball team in the world, returns to Hawai'i to defend its title in the 2002 U.S. Cup Games July 4-7 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

The tournament leads up to the 2002 ISF Womens World Championship, July 25-Aug. 4 in Saskatoon, Canada. That tournament is a major qualifier for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, with the top five clinching berths and earning seeds.

The U.S. Cup field will also include 2000 Olympic silver medalist Japan, bronze medalist Australia, Canada and China, the silver medalist in 1996. Australia will bring back former University of Hawai'i pitchers Brooke Wilkins and Felicity Witt, poised to make her World Championship debut.

The U.S. defeated China in last year's U.S. Cup final, with Texas teenager Catherine Osterman pitching a one-hitter.

Team USA has won six world championships, five Pan Am gold medals and the only two Olympic golds in softball. The U.S. is 86-9 in World Championship games, outscoring opponents 521-18.

The U.S. Cup team, which will go on to the World Championships, includes six players from the 2000 gold medal team — Leah O'Brien-Amico, Laura Berg, Lisa Fernandez, Lori Harrigan, Stacy Nuveman and Michele Smith. It is coached by Arizona's Mike Candrea.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 595-8763 or at the Hawai'i Amateur Softball Association Web site (hawaiiasa.com). Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students (18-under). Parking is $3.

Schedule:

  • Thursday, July 4: 10 a.m., USA vs. Canada; noon, China vs. Australia; 2 p.m., Opening Ceremonies; 3, USA vs. Japan; 5, Canada vs. Australia.
  • Friday, July 5: Noon, Australia vs. Japan; 2 p.m., Canada vs. China; 5, China vs. Japan; 7, USA vs. Australia.
  • Saturday, July 6: 3 p.m., Canada vs. Japan; 5, USA vs. China; 7, Medal round (4 vs. 5).
  • Sunday, July 7: 1 p.m., Bronze medal game; 3, Gold medal game.