Kretschman Helps Lead USA Softball to Opening Victory
8/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
 |
|
Former University of Alabama softball standout Kelly Kretschman was perfect at the plate going 2-2 with two runs scored and a walk in helping Team USA to an opening round 7-0, five inning, mercy-rule victory over Italy.
USA jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings and never looked back as Natasha Watley hit a bases-loaded double to the wall in the bottom of the fifth inning clearing the bases and ending the game for the final 7-0 margin.
Watley finished the game 4-4 with a double, triple and two RBI.
Up next for the U.S. will be the highly noted rivalry between Team USA and Australia. Both 1-0 in competition after a 4-2 Australian victory against Japan, the two teams will meet at 9:00 a.m. CT on Sunday with the game being televised live on BRAVO.
Murphy Helps Guide Canadians to Opening Round Win over Chinese Taipei
The University of Alabama head softball coach Patrick Murphy helped lead the Canadian national team to a 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei in the opening round of the 2004 Olympic Games.
The victory marks the third consecutive victory for the Canadians over Chinese Taipei as the Canada collected back-to-back victories over them two weeks ago to capture the Prague Cup.
Canada will next battle host country Greece on Sunday, August 15 at 11:30 a.m. CT.
Owusu Bears Flag for Ghana in Opening Ceremonies
Former University of Alabama track and field standout Andrew Owusu was front and center for the Ghana contingency at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games as he was the flag bearer for his nation.
Owusu captured the 1996 NCAA Indoor long jump championship as a member of the Crimson Tide track and field team. He will be making his third Olympic appearance, having competed in the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta and the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia.
