Dickson Powers Team USA To World Championship Playoffs

NANJING, CHINA Three homeruns combined with the pitching of USA workhorse Monica Abbott (Salinas, CA) lifted the U.S. Junior Women to a 4-0 victory over Australia to remain perfect in World Championship play. At 7-0, the win advances the U.S. to the second round of playoff action where they will battle undefeated defending Junior World Champion Japan on October 19 at 6:00 p.m. (6:00 a.m. EST).

A pitchers duel through the first three innings, the U.S. power unleashed in the top of the fourth when the homerun rally began. Norrelle Dickson (Oklahoma) led off the inning taking a 3-2 pitch to centerfield before the bat of Emily Zaplatosch (Scottsdale, AZ), leading the U.S. with 11 RBI, rocked a towering homerun to right center giving the U.S. a 2-0 advantage. Second baseman Caitlin Benyi (Scottsdale, AZ), batting .588, then stroked her third homerun of the tournament continuing a five game hit streak for the 3-0 U.S. advantage.

But two homeruns wasn't enough as seventh inning lead off hitter Desiree Williams (Tucson, AZ) added another HR to the books driving a solo shot to right center for the eventual 4-0 U.S. win.

"The intensity that we brought into this game was very high as usual," Williams said. "We came into this game knowing that offense was going to be the key to win. Seeing the pitcher the first time around helped me get use to her speed and the next time I felt like I was seeing the ball well and knew she was going to give me a pitch to hit."

Left handed Abbott led the U.S. once again from the circle notching her second win recording 12 strikeouts allowing just one hit in the victory.

"Tonight I really looked to see what pitch I felt was working the best for both me and the team," Abbott said. "I had some information on the hitters before the game from the coaches and that helped me key on a few things."

Australia's only opportunity to score came in the top of the third inning when a U.S. fielding error allowed Rachel Love to reach first. Two successful sacrifice bunts advanced Love to third but the arm of Abbott continued to halt the Australian offense ending the inning with a strikeout. The only hit from the Australian junior squad came off a base hit bunt from Kylie Cronk in the bottom of the fourth who was later was forced out at second base on a fielder's choice.

"This was one of the top pitching teams that we have faced in this tournament," head coach Pam Newton said. "But the good thing was that the batters were able to make adjustments the second time through the line up and obviously a one hitter by Monica was the icing on the cake. I am just impressed by the power, poise and confidence this team has shown through out this competition thus far. We look forward to the challenge ahead competing against the Japanese. They have speed, we have size, speed and power, and both teams have good pitching- so it will be quite a game."

Dickson led all batters going 2-for-3 in the fifth shutout victory for the U.S. Outscoring its opponents 61-2, the team USA is hitting .462 and has recorded a total of nine homeruns. The pitching staff remains solid recording a 0.00 overall ERA allowing just nine hits in seven games.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Dickson Powers Team USA To World Championship Playoffs

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors