Vesely, Dickson Bring Home Gold For USA

Jan. 3, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma softball freshman Kristin Vesely (Phoenix, Ariz.) and recent signee Norelle Dickson (Orange, Calif.) helped bring home the gold for the United States in the First Pan Am Championships in Hermosillo, Mexico.

The USA Junior Women's National Team defeated Canada 2-0 to capture the gold medal.

Despite having runners in scoring position in the first two innings, the USA was unable to score until the fifth. With one out, Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, CA) had an infield single and moved to second when Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, CA) drew a walk. After Jodie Legaspi (Garden Grove, CA) flew out to right field, Christina Clark (Santa Ana, CA) singled to center to score Lowe.

The USA looked as if it was in jeopardy in the top of the sixth inning when KatherineVan Deviere smacked a drive down the right field line for the Canadians first and only hit of the game. Abbott rose to the occasion by striking out Jenna Campagnola to end the scoring threat.

The USA added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Lisa Dodd (San Diego, CA) led off with a double to the wall and Norrelle Dickson (Orange, CA) reached on an error by the Canadian third baseman.

Kristin Vesely hit a sharp grounder single up the middle that ricocheted off the pitcher to load the bases. Following a pitching change, Lowe stepped to the plate with an opportunity to blow open the game. The Canadian infield was prepared for the speedy Lowe to slap another infield hit; instead, she drilled a single to centerfield to score Dodd.

Dickson rounded third but was out at home on a great throw by Campagnola in centerfield to end the inning. Just three outs away from the championship, Dodd entered the game in relief and struck out the first two batters she faced. Jessica Morris then hit a fly ball to right to end the game.

Lowe, who was involved in both of the USA runs, finished the game going 3-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk. Clark picked up the other RBI for the USA and Dodd added a double. Emily Zaplatosch (Los Angeles, CA) and Vesely had the other USA hits.

The USA pitching staff dominated its competition during the entire Pan Am Championships by shutting out ever opponent it faced. No USA pitcher yielded a single run in eight games, while its offense scored 91 runs, an average of over 10 runs a game.

By finishing in the top five of the Pan Am Championship, the USA earned its berth in the 2003 ISF Junior Women's World Championships next summer in Nanjing, China.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Vesely, Dickson Bring Home Gold For USA

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