By Brett R. Crossley and Todd Stanford
The Daily Item
May 09, 2008 04:00 am
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WILLIAMSPORT -- The crowd expected a blowout, and that is what they got.
But tucked in between the first eight-run inning was a gem few might have noticed. That gem was Bloomsburg graduate, Amber Cowher. Cowher delivered an impressive pitching performance, holding team USA to seven hits and five runs. It might not sound like complete dominance, but keep in mind this is the best softball team in the world.
"We knew we had to bring the best we had," said Cowher. "I don't think anybody came into the game scared."
Cowher had every reason to fear a lineup which opened the game with a eight-run first inning. Team USA got six hits in nine plate appearances off first pitcher Jenn Shellhammer. Then, with one out left, Cowher entered to finish the rest of the first.
"I told our coach that I came to the game to win," said Cowher.
In front of the second largest crowd team USA has seen on its "Bound for Beijing" tour, Cowher threw just as tough as any pitcher they have faced. The former Huskies' standout pitched against 20 batters and held a team that looked poised to score 30 down for the most part.
"I wish we had more preparation," said Cowher. "Imagine if we had a couple of months to get ready, who knows what could have happened?"
The USA lineup was anything but soft, challenging Cowher with every plate appearance.
"There is just no break," said Cowher. "In college, there might be one or two hitters you know you can get out. With them it's just one after the other. You have to bring your best stuff."
Other highlights included Shippensburg graduate Brena Eck doing a full split to reach for a ball thrown to first.
"I didn't mean to do it," said Eck. "My foot slipped and I went with it. I just wanted to make the catch."
VALLEY REPRESENTED: There were numerous youth players from the Central Susquehanna Valley at Thursday's game. Like most players, Milton's Amy Neitz and Jennalee Williams were there to see their heroes.
"I'm pretty excited to see them live," Neitz said.
When asked whom she most wanted to see, Neitz said Jennie Finch. The famed right-hander and TV celebrity pitched a complete game Thursday night.
"I'm sure everybody gets excited to see her," Neitz said.
Williams was also there to see Finch.
"It's pretty amazing (to see her)," she said. "It's like a once-in-a-liftetime experience."
Team USA played a group of regional all-stars called Longstreth. When asked who she was pulling for, Williams didn't hesitate to answer.
"I'm rooting for the Olympic team because they're going to kick the crap out of (Longstreth)."
HALL WORTHY: The Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association of District 4 inaugurated its first class before the game Thursday. Players Erika Miller, Denise Day, Missy Force, Angie Stackhouse, Megan Hunsinger and Marcie Hickey joined long-time Milton umpire Tom Aber and ASA Junior Olympic Commissioner Stacey Stuck in the first class.
Stuck is a Shikellamy graduate who now lives in Milton, and Hunsinger and Hickey were both Danville graduates who went on to become Division II All-Americans at Bloomsburg.
THANKS FOR THE INFO: The biographical information, which Team USA's PR staff puts out, is certainly all-encompassing. The bio on Finch actually has the week (No. 4) in which Donald Trump fired her from the popular TV show "Celebrity Apprentice."
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