From Deseret News archives:
Softball team leaves golden legacy
The U.S. softball team not only was the real American Dream Team of these Olympics, it was the most dominant team of the Athens Games and maybe any other.
"This is the best one I've ever coached," Mike Candrea said. "It's probably the best team I'll ever see. I think it will go down as a team people will talk about for a long time."
Displaying unmatched power on the mound, around the basepaths and in the batter's box, the United States won gold with a 5-1 victory over Australia on Monday, completing a nearly untarnished romp through an Olympic tournament the Americans made their own.
Lisa Fernandez's four-hitter in the final was her fourth victory of the Games, beating Tanya Harding and getting ample help from Crystl Bustos, who hit two homers.
The one run Australia scored in the sixth inning was the only earned run she gave up the whole tournament, a miniscule flaw considering the Americans still outscored the field 51-1 in their nine games.
They also outhit it, outran it, and outclassed it while virtually rewriting the Olympic softball record book.
The pitcher also batted .545 in her third Olympics, leaving little doubt that she's still the game's best all-around player.
"Our whole team came together today," said Bustos, a two-time Olympian. "The bunting, the people getting on base, the hard-hit balls. Our defense was there. You can't beat it. The pitching was phenomenal. It's the best Olympic team I ever played on."
From their opening-game rout of Italy, to their gut-wrenching win over Japan and capped by their third win over the Aussies, the Americans showed that at least in the softball world they are alone on the diamond.
"This is the greatest feeling in the world," outfielder Kelly Kretschman said. "We made it look easy but every game was tough."
Australia coach Simon Roskvist said there wasn't a tougher opponent.
"We had to play fantastic softball to beat them and we didn't," Roskvist said. "I don't think there could have been a tougher opponent."
Women's softball has never been played better, at least not since it became an Olympic sport in 1996. However, it's guaranteed a spot in the lineup only through 2008.
Comments
- American soldier killed in Iraq 2:17 p.m.
- 'New Moon' wolfs down $140.7M 1:56 p.m.
- Holcomb wins bobsled gold 1:54 p.m.
- Sen. Dems at odds over health bill 1:17 p.m.
- Arrest in suspected child abuse 1:13 p.m.
- Cancer guidelines spark debate 12:57 p.m.
- Man dies after SUV backs over him 12:39 p.m.
- At 6-5, hard time arguing firing Weis 12:24 p.m.
- $27M transfer for state Route 193 12:20 p.m.
- 'Christmas With King Family' DVD 12:16 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
200 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
174 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
170 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
123 - BYU records with win
120 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
NO MASS EXPENSIVE DEPORTATION IS NEEDED? E-VERIFY IS VASTLY BECOMING THE...
I believe this, and the next few, will be among the best Y hoops years ever....
How about testing the brain power of the owners who have animals which end up...
I'm a stoked to watch RSL tear these clowns to pieces. BOOYAH!
Boozer is doing great and some people are talking about trading him. He is a...
The US may be number one in gun violence but think how much worse it would be...
"Only that Mendenhall tapped into an important component of his team for the...
I have been to a couple Utah-BYU games in Provo. Both times, I was subjected...
Are you a little confused today John? First...divorced men being compared to...
Re: Give it a rest Who do you call if you have an emergency on Sunday?




You can be the first to comment on this story.