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There was no question for Patty Gasso that one of her two U.S. teams would earn a medal Monday.
“This Elite Team is going to walk away with a bronze,” head coach Gasso said Sunday night. “We're trying to sweep these medals tomorrow.”
She was right on the first part. The evening game will determine the second.
The U.S. Elite Team dominated Canada in a 7-0 run-rule victory that earned a third-place finish at the International Cup in Devon Park.
USA Softball WNT vs Japan live updates: Where to watch International Cup title game
Facing Canada is no easy task for any softball team. Both the U.S. Women’s National Team and Japan were trailing at points playing against them this tournament.
“A run-rule against Canada is a big deal, especially in the medal rounds,” Gasso said. “I’m really, really pleased.”
The U.S. Elite Team faced tough back-to-back losses against Japan and their fellow teammates on the USWNT.
But Monday night at Devon Park was all about big players performing in big moments.
“We knew that we were in control of how we responded, whether we punched back or we were like, ‘Oh no it's Canada,’” Ana Gold said. “We fully went in headfirst and left it all out there.”
Gold hit three home runs throughout the five-day tournament. With offensive star Morgan Zerkle, who had a .500 batting average in the tournament, the elite team finally earned its respected place.
“This team came a long way this week,” Zerkle said, “so I felt like we were prepared early on. It was good to finish strong.”
OU catcher Kendall Wells had the honor of hitting the walk-off double RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“Definitely a surreal moment,” Wells said. “I’ve learned so much this week really trying to take it all in.”
More: Why Patty Gasso felt 'very lucky' coaching both USA softball teams in International Cup
With the International Cup coming to an end, this roster will be spreading out.
Wells will return to OU with three years left of eligibility. Gold will train in the offseason for Team USA and AUSL next summer. And Zerkle will travel to Marshall University for her head coach duties.
But all 18 athletes have one thing in common.
“I don’t think any of us would be here if our goal wasn’t to play in the Olympics,” Zerkle said.
Gasso will have a tough decision to make in the future, choosing 15 of the current 36 athletes in the U.S. pool to represent Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in Oklahoma City.
For now, she has one quick task, then one tougher task.
“I owe 18 Swig drinks so I got to head over my credit card for that,” Gasso said with players laughing. “Then jump in with this other team and get to work.”
The No. 2 USWNT team faced No. 1 Japan at 7 p.m. for the gold medal.
Amanda Avila is a sports intern for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Amanda? She can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @avilaonair. Support Amanda's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: USA Softball Elite run-rules Canada to win bronze in International Cup game
Continue reading...
“This Elite Team is going to walk away with a bronze,” head coach Gasso said Sunday night. “We're trying to sweep these medals tomorrow.”
She was right on the first part. The evening game will determine the second.
The U.S. Elite Team dominated Canada in a 7-0 run-rule victory that earned a third-place finish at the International Cup in Devon Park.
USA Softball WNT vs Japan live updates: Where to watch International Cup title game
Facing Canada is no easy task for any softball team. Both the U.S. Women’s National Team and Japan were trailing at points playing against them this tournament.
“A run-rule against Canada is a big deal, especially in the medal rounds,” Gasso said. “I’m really, really pleased.”
The U.S. Elite Team faced tough back-to-back losses against Japan and their fellow teammates on the USWNT.
But Monday night at Devon Park was all about big players performing in big moments.
“We knew that we were in control of how we responded, whether we punched back or we were like, ‘Oh no it's Canada,’” Ana Gold said. “We fully went in headfirst and left it all out there.”
Gold hit three home runs throughout the five-day tournament. With offensive star Morgan Zerkle, who had a .500 batting average in the tournament, the elite team finally earned its respected place.
“This team came a long way this week,” Zerkle said, “so I felt like we were prepared early on. It was good to finish strong.”
OU catcher Kendall Wells had the honor of hitting the walk-off double RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“Definitely a surreal moment,” Wells said. “I’ve learned so much this week really trying to take it all in.”
More: Why Patty Gasso felt 'very lucky' coaching both USA softball teams in International Cup
With the International Cup coming to an end, this roster will be spreading out.
Wells will return to OU with three years left of eligibility. Gold will train in the offseason for Team USA and AUSL next summer. And Zerkle will travel to Marshall University for her head coach duties.
But all 18 athletes have one thing in common.
“I don’t think any of us would be here if our goal wasn’t to play in the Olympics,” Zerkle said.
Gasso will have a tough decision to make in the future, choosing 15 of the current 36 athletes in the U.S. pool to represent Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in Oklahoma City.
For now, she has one quick task, then one tougher task.
“I owe 18 Swig drinks so I got to head over my credit card for that,” Gasso said with players laughing. “Then jump in with this other team and get to work.”
The No. 2 USWNT team faced No. 1 Japan at 7 p.m. for the gold medal.
Amanda Avila is a sports intern for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Amanda? She can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @avilaonair. Support Amanda's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: USA Softball Elite run-rules Canada to win bronze in International Cup game
Continue reading...
