We last saw softball in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as Japan pulled off the upset against the heavily favored Team USA squad in the finals. Fast forward thirteen years later; softball is back (and so are two members of that 2008 USA team) Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott. Osterman, who won gold in Athens in 2004, struck out nine as she held Italy to one hit in six shutout innings. Abbott threw a scoreless seventh to complete the 2-0 shutout, striking out the side.
In their second game vs. Canada, Abbott threw the second shutout. She allowed one hit and striking out nine in seven innings. In the 1-0 victory, the lone run came from outfielder Haylie McCleney who reached base with a single in the 5th inning. After a sacrifice bunt from outfielder, Janie Reed moved McCleney to second; catcher Amanda Chidester hit an RBI single to right field.
All 9️⃣ of @monicaabbott’s strikeouts from @USASoftball’s game against Canada, for your viewing pleasure 🥎#TokyoOlympics x @USASoftballWNT pic.twitter.com/yJGfAEtmXM
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021
Team USA is 2-0 early on in Tokyo. And the odds-on favorite in my opinion getting gold as they did in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Athens (2004). Looking at the construct of the roster, you have the experience in Osterman and Abbott; as well as some very powerful bats in everyone else on the roster. For example, at the 2018 world championships, McCleney led Team USA at the 2018 world championships with a .520 batting average with two home runs, six RBIs, and 14 runs scored.
If you needed a bit more proof of the hitting capabilities on this team; former Michigan star Chidester led the U.S. to gold at the 2016 world championships with seven home runs and 18 runs batted in. My point, this team has no problem putting the bat on the ball. You have to be excited if you are Head coach Ken Eriksen and his coaching staff; including one of the greatest outfielders to step on a softball field in Laura Berg. She was a member of the U.S. Teams who won gold in Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens.
Over the years, there have been some great pitchers who have stepped in that circle over the years for the red, white, and blue. Greats like the aforementioned Osterman and Abbott but also Jennie Finch and Lisa Fernandez. The next great arm is UCLA’s Rachel Garcia, who led the Bruins to the 2019 national championship, going 29-1 in the circle with a 1.14 ERA. Garcia concluded her Bruins run with 99 wins and a 1.43 ERA. Also, hitting .337 with 43 home runs and 175 runs batted in. She was the Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player in 2019.
The biggest obstacle facing Team USA is their familiar foe in Team Japan. Going back to 2002 both teams have squared off in the final of every world championship; with the U.S. coming out on top with gold five times and Japan being victorious twice. Like Osterman and Abbott for Team USA; two players from the 2008 Team Japan team are competing in pitcher Yukiko Ueno and her catcher, Yukiyo Mine.
We will see both teams go at it again in these Olympics games on July 26th in Yokohama; which could be a preview of the Gold Medal match. This time around, I expect Team USA to bring home the gold. For this team, it is personal, and, as the late great James Brown said, “it is about the big payback” from 2008. Overall, this team is stacked talent-wise, from the past, present, and future of Team USA softball.
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