World Cup Softball Championship

[Phil C]

They are having the final championship game now with USA against Japan. After two innings it is USA 3 Japan 0. This is Jeanie Finch's final game as a member of Team USA.

You can watch it now on ESPN2.

[Phil C]

Japan threatened in top of the third and got one run inn but USA gets out of the inning with no more damage. Score USA 3 Japan 1. Monica Abbott is pitching. I wonder if Jeanie Finch is going to get to pitch at all tonight.

[Phil C]

Jeanie Finch playing first base bats and flies out. :(

[Phil C]

Japan makes an error at bottom of third and gives USA the run back. USA 4 Japan 1.

[Phil C]

After 3 innings USA 4 Japan 1.

[Phil C]

Fifth inning same score. I was hoping Jeanie would pitch in her last game but man Monica is doing a fantastic job and the main thing is to win this game.

[Phil C]

Japan threatened with a double with two outs but good defense bailed us out.

[Phil C]

Jeanie may now be batting for the last time for team USA.

[Phil C]

Jeanie got a base hit but unfortunately she got the runner at out on a force. Unfortunately fly balls and two more outs as the fifth inning ends.

[Phil C]

A long game indeed. Come on USA! Hold on and win!

[Phil C]

Bottom of sixth with the same score. USA is now batting. Earlier this summer they won the World Championship Softball in Argentina. Let's hope that we can win this World Cub being played tonight at Oklahoma City to a good crowd.

[Phil C]

After 6 it is USA 5 Japan as USA gets another run due mainly to an error. In fact two of our runs have been on errors. USA is now 3 outs from winning the World Cup! Monica is still pitching but she deserves it. She has been fantastic even though Japan had a few chances.

[Phil C]

First out as Jeanie grabs a ground ball and touches the first base.

[Phil C]

Strike 3 for second out! What a job by Monica! Finch leaves the game for the last time to a great ovation!

[Phil C]

Fly out for third out and USA wins 5 - 1! Way to go USA!

[Looking4number8]

I watched the game too Phil, sad to see Jennie leaving softball. She has been amazing for the sport.

On a side note, she will finish the year with the Chigago Bandits. They play a series in Austin in August. A friend and I got our tickets right behind home plate about a month ago and now the value of those tickets just went up in our minds. I am excited to see 27 play one of her last games as a pro next month.

[44INAROW]

some folks from Cuero were at the entire tourney - they've posted some pictures on facebook. They ate supper at the same place as the Japanese team and took pics with them too. Got some good pics of Jenny as well

[JJWalker]

I got to talk to a bunch of the USA gals at the Marriott in OKC last week.

I do not know how old they are, but softball women are kinda hot. :eek:

[Phil C]

The one disappointment with the tournament was that there were not enough teams to justify demanding it be in the Olympics. This is unfortunate indeed but basically there wee only three countries represented in the USA, Canada and Japan. The USA had to put a fourth team called USA futures composed of college ladies who won a couple of games and gave the USA team trouble. What was really missing were teams from China and especially Australia who has steadily improved. Without more countries there were be little use in demanding it in the Olympics.

[Phil C]

Team USA won over Japan in the finals but I reviewed how the Team USA Futures did and they did well indeed and just barely missed out on a shot at the finals. This team was composed of young college players in order to have an even number of teams at the World Cup. They actually beat Team Japan one game 2 - 1 with sophomore UT pitcher Blair Luna doing a great job. Also they just barely lost a game 0 - 1 to Team USA. Future softball is promising in the USA. A great job by these young ladies.
Well Done Blair.

[CenTexSports]

My 8 year old granddaughter is going to a JF softball camp in Round Rock in August. She is very excited but not as excited as her dad who is taking her there every day.