September 18, 2007

Osterman makes Olympic team
Former Horn is ace of U.S.'s Dream Team

By John Maher
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Cat Osterman continued on her road to China Monday when she was selected to the 2008 USA national softball team.

After a week of tryouts involving 32 players, 18 were chosen, 15 of whom will be on the U.S. Olympic roster. The other three players will be named as Olympic alternates prior to July 1.

"This could be the best team you'll ever see play the game," said Mike Candrea, the 2008 U.S. Olympic coach.

"I'm really excited," Osterman said. "It's nice to know officially that you've made the team."

It would be the second Olympic appearance for Osterman, who was the youngest player on the gold medal-winning 2004 U.S. Olympic squad, and it could also be her last Olympics. Softball will not be included in the 2012 London Games and would have to win its bid for reinstatement to be held in any future Olympics.

"I feel it's this team's responsibility to showcase what the world is going to miss," said pitcher Lisa Fernandez. "To showcase our sport is going to be part of our mission."

Fernandez and outfielder Laura Berg have been on all three gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic teams. While there were few surprises in the selection, Fernandez might have been the biggest question mark. Although she's considered one of the greatest softball players of all time, she had been away from the national team for three years while raising a family.

Osterman and Fernandez are two of the five pitchers on the team.

"I'm very excited with our pitching staff," said Candrea, the University of Arizona coach who also headed the 2004 Olympic team. "The toughest thing is trying to decide who's going to throw."

Candrea will have the luxury of being able to try to match the styles of his pitchers with the weaknesses of opposing teams. Both Candrea and Fernandez said they've seen improvement in Osterman, who could be the team's ace.

"I thought there were times when she would get rattled very easily," said Candrea. "I see a much more composed athlete on the mound. She's a lot smarter. When something does go wrong, she doesn't show those emotions."

Osterman agreed.

"At 21, I'd second guess myself a little more. Now one hit doesn't ruin it for me," she said. "Before, I thought if I gave up a hit, I didn't do my job. He (Candrea) is proud of how I've grown. I did a lot of work in the last couple of years to elevate my game."

Osterman said that pitching for the U.S. team means there's room for a mistake or two in the circle.

"We have an unbelievable offense," she said.

Softball competition will begin Aug. 12 and end Aug. 21. Eight teams, including the U.S. and host China, will first compete in a round robin format with the top four teams advancing to the single-elimination medal rounds.

Much as it did in 2004, the U.S. team will prepare for the Olympics with a lengthy domestic tour, a 40-city trek that will begin in February.

"We have a core of athletes that have set the bar extremely high for the rest of the world," Candrea said. "I'm excited to get started."

jmaher@statesman.com; 445-3956

U.S. national team

Monica Abbott (Tennessee '07):Abbott, the team's youngest member, broke Osterman's career collegiate strikeout record this past season.

Laura Berg, (Fresno State '98): Has played for every U.S. Olympic team and is second in career hits for NCAA Div. I players with 396.

Crystl Bustos, (Palm Beach C.C.):Probably the most feared power hitter in the world. In the 2004 Athens Games, she set Olympic records with five home runs and 10 RBIs.

Andrea Duran (UCLA '06): Third baseman who hit an inside-the-park HR off Osterman in the pitcher's final game for UT.

Lisa Fernandez (UCLA '95): A right-handed pitcher, she also hit .545 (12-for-22) at the 2004 Games.

Jennie Finch (Arizona '02): The photogenic Finch is a former collegiate player of the year and was a perfect 32-0 for Arizona in 2001.

Tairia Flowers (UCLA '04): A utility player at first, third and catcher, Flowers also blossomed into one of the team's hottest hitters this year with a .543 batting average.

Vicky Galindo (Cal '04): Plays second base and was second on the national team with a .500 (18-for-36) batting average.

Alicia Hollowell (Arizona '06): Pitched the Wildcats to the College World Series title in 2006.

Lovieanne Jung (Arizona '03): A second baseman, Jung has been a fixture on the national team and drew a team-high five walks during the '04 Games.

Kelly Kretschman (Alabama '01): An outfielder and a 2000 Olympic team alternate and 2004 Olympic team member.

Lauren Lappin (Stanford '06): Can play third base and catcher.

Caitlin Lowe (Arizona '07): The team speedster. A pesky leadoff hitter and faultless outfielder, Lowe has stolen 23 bases in 25 attempts in 58 games at the national team level.

Jessica Mendoza (Stanford '02): An outfielder, Mendoza has been one of the top run producers on the national team since 2001.

Stacey Nuveman (UCLA '02): A catcher, Nuveman had big hits in the 2000 and 2004 gold medal games.

Cat Osterman (Texas '06): Spins the ball as well as anyone in the world. Figures to be the team ace.

Jenny Topping (Cal-State Fullerton '03): A 2004 Olympic veteran, she provides depth behind the plate.

Natasha Watley (UCLA '03): The team's shortstop, Watley hit .466 in 2007.