Jennie Finch and her Team USA softball teammates got a rousing sendoff Saturday night at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine as the squad wrapped up its KFC Bound for Beijing Tour with a 6-2 victory over Team Intensity.
A sellout crowd of 2,447 cheered the squad its final exhibition before its Olympic opener Aug. 12 vs. Venezuela.
The players, including shortstop Natasha Watley (Woodbridge High) and center fielder Caitlin Lowe (Foothill) stayed around for autographs for admiring young fans after the game.
The squad finished its tour 19-1.
“Each city has been so special and I think every city has been sold out,” said Finch, who had nine strikeouts Saturday night while scattering three hits. “It’s been a tremendous tour and it just proves the growth of fastpitch softball and the excitement for USA softball.”
The young fans and their parents cheered the USA team throughout the evening, chanting “USA, USA,” several times.
But Finch and her teammates know the sport’s future is uncertain, since it won’t be an Olympic sport in 2012. They hope it will return to the Olympics in 2016.
“That’s our mission, to show the world that softball belongs in the Olympics,” Finch said. “We need the Olympics, just as the Olympics need softball.”
Finch, a member of the national team for seven years, will be making her second Olympic appearance. The USA is shooting for its fourth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics.
In Saturday’s game, Orange County products Watley (UCLA) and Lowe (Arizona) both contributed to the USA squad.
Watley led off the bottom of the first inning with an infield single and Lowe reached on an error.
Both runners came in on a single by Kelly Kretschman.
Lowe also doubled in the fourth inning and scored on a triple by Jessica Mendoza.
Watley was 2 for 4 with a run scored while Lowe was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
“They’re (Watley and Lowe) just absolutely incredible and I’m so blessed and glad to have them on my team and play with them,” said Finch, a former University of Arizona pitcher who was raised in La Mirada.
“Our confidence is so high in them and we know when they’re in the batter’s box, they’re going to get on most of the time. That what sparks this team.”
Finch and her teammates are optimistic heading to Beijing in a week.
“We’re feeling really good,” she said. “The butterflies are definitely there this week because it’s coming to an end and we’re excited to get on that plane to Beijing.”
“This was definitely a great sendoff.”
