Sooners in Action at Jr. World Championships

Dec. 12, 2011

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — Oklahoma's Lauren Chamberlain and Destinee Martinez have helped the United States to a 5-0 record at the 2011 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women's World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa while fellow Sooner Georgia Casey is part of an Australian team that sits at 4-1.

The U.S. opened the competition with an 11-4 five-inning run-rule over North American neighbor Canada on Thursday. Martinez crossed the plate three times while Chamberlain scored the 10th run for the Americans in the victory. Friday saw the U.S. pick up its second win with a 5-0 shutout of China in a game that saw Chamberlain reach base on a single before scoring in the top of the third inning.

The American squad held its second straight opponent to no runs on Saturday, topping New Zealand 7-0 in six innings. Chamberlain was active in the game with two runs batted in off a single and a sacrifice bunt. For the second time in three games, both she and Martinez scored for the red, white and blue. The U.S. extended its shutout streak to three by beating South Africa 8-0 on Sunday in a game that Martinez did not record a hit while Chamberlain took a rest from her starting position at first base.

On Monday, Martinez took a day of rest while Chamberlain moved to third and knocked in five of the American's 17 runs in a three-inning 17-0 win over Botswana. The freshman scored in all three innings highlighted by a three-run home run in the second inning.

While Martinez and Chamberlain have been busy in Group A, Casey has seen action for Australia in Group B. The freshman from Sydney opened the event with a triple, an RBI and two walks in the Aussies' 12-1 win over Russia. She began the game at shortstop before moving to the pitching circle for her country's next game, a 3-0 win over Brazil. Casey entered the pitching circle in the sixth inning and faced eight batters, giving up two hits while striking out one.

A return to the circle for Casey on Saturday was not as promising, however, as Japan defeated Australia, 7-2. Casey started strong, not allowing the three batters in the first to reach base, before getting into trouble in the second inning. The Japanese picked up four runs, three of them earned against Casey.

Australia rebounded on Sunday with a 10-0 win over Germany in which Casey had one at-bat, a ground out to short in the third inning.

Team USA has two pool play games remaining in Cape Town before the playoffs (Dec. 15-16) and medal rounds (Dec. 17). The Americans face Czech Republic on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. SAST/9:30 a.m. CT and close out pool play Wednesday with Puerto Rico at 2 p.m. SAST/6 a.m. CT. Australia takes on Chinese Taipei on Tuesday and face Argentina on Wednesday.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners in Action at Jr. World Championships

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