The US. women's national softball team now are ready to fly to Beijing and confident of their Olympic tournament after the nationwide 45-city warm-up trip ended in a "bittersweet" way on Sunday.
The US women's national softball team pose up for photo in a sunset setting,
ready to set for Beijing for the last softball events in Olympic Games
"Tonight is bittersweet for us. These past few months have been exhausting but also so amazing to see so much passion for the sport. Although it's sad to see it end, we are so ready to go over and bring home our fourth gold medal," Jessica Mendoza, the American leading hitter, told U.S. softball official website after the final game.
The pre-Olympic tour, which began in February, reaches every corner of the country including 23 states. After the 6-2 curtainfall victory over Team Intensity, the U.S. women wrapped up the tour with an overwhelming 59-1 record. However, most of their opponents are from college teams and some regional clubs.
Mendoza led the team in doubles and hits, starting in 59 of 60 games. Jennie Finch, the blonde pinup pitcher, worked a team-high 118.2 innings with 11 complete games. While the reliever hurler, Cat Osterman, had a team-high 247 strikeouts and allowed 37 hits.
"We had a great tour this year and that's great to see. Now we are on to why we are here, to bring home a gold medal," said head coach Mike Candrea.
The dubbed U.S. "Real Dream Team" have wrapped up all the golds up to now, boasting an Olympic record of 24-4.
At the 2004 Athens Games, the Americans played more like in a league of its own, winning all nine games and outscoring opponents 51-1.
In March, ten Athens gold medalists and 13 members from the 2006 world Champion team had been named in the American Olympic team roster.
With the balance between power and flexibility, talented pitchers and decisive sluggers, the American squad is the top favorite to defend their title at Fengtai field next month.
However, other softball powerhouses like the host China, Japan and Australia, will strive for the elusive gold and could be expected to provide the Americans with tests.
On August 4th, the Americans will depart for Beijing with a week of practice for its first game against Venezuela on August 12.
(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2008)