Softball: Team USA displays power in Basin appearance

MIDLAND The U.S. National Softball team performed as advertised - and more.

Former University of Texas pitcher Cat Osterman struck out 13; leadoff hitter Natasha Watley was 5 for 5 with a double, triple and three runs scored; and Crystl Bustos hit a grand slam to highlight a 13-0 victory against the West Texas All-Stars on Friday night at Citibank Ballpark.

The game was part of the "Bound 4 Beijing" Tour, a 61-game schedule of games across the country to help the national team get ready for the Summer Olympics.

"This has been great for us," Watley said. "We been able to see a lot of live pitching and get in a lot of game situations that we wouldn't have in practice. I was just trying to do what Coach (Mike) Cardena wants us to do at the top of the lineup, and that's read the defense and find a way to get on base. It was a good night."

It was a good night for two local athletes - Raquel Hawkins of Monahans and Stephanie Herrera of Pecos - who were part of the West Texas team coached by Midland College's Tommy Ramos.

"Getting the chance to coach this team against the national team was a great opportunity for me because I got a chance to watch how they coached the team and how the team worked," Ramos said. "I'll definitely take some things away from this game to use with my team."

This was the second time that Herrera, who recently graduated from New Mexico State University, had faced the national team. She used her first experience to calm her nerves on Friday, slapping a single off Osterman in the third inning, the first hit allowed by U.S. pitchers in three games this week.

"That was awesome," Herrera said of the night. "This was probably the last fast-pitch softball game I'll ever play, so what better way to go out than facing the best team in the world. When I got to first I asked the coach if the shortstop had bobbled it, and he told me no, so I was really happy. What a great night."

Hawkins, who helped Lubbock Christian University to the NAIA title last month, started the game as the designated player and then moved to second base in the fourth inning. Though she didn't reach base, Hawkins was involved in several plays in the field.

"You look over at them and see how they play and how they train, and you realize they are the best team in the world," Hawkins said. "I am just thankful for the opportunity that I had to play and be on the same field."

Osterman, who led the University of Texas to the Women's College World Series three times and was member of the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal-winning team, knows how Hawkins is feeling. The Houston-native was part of an all-star team put together in 2000 to face the national team as it prepared for the Sydney Summer Olympics.

"When you get a chance to play against the best, it's so exciting," Osterman said. "It reminds you of why you are playing the game. (Friday) was good because we've been working on getting my pitches to move a little more. Plus, being from Texas, it's great to get back and play in front of some friends."

Osterman struck out six of the first nine hitters through three innings, and Team USA broke through in the third.

Bustos, who popped up in her first at bat in the first inning, turned on the first pitch she saw from Marissa Gonzales and ripped a line-drive shot over the left-field wall for a grand slam.

"We knew that Crystl was going to get one," Ramos said. "We got lucky in the first inning, but she crushed the ball in the third."
Lovieanne Jung had a run-scoring single with one out and Watley had a two-run double with two outs after Bustos' blast in the third.