Beijing journey detours to Bowman Field
By CHRIS MASSE - cmasse@sungazette.comLauren Lappin hit two home runs and Jennie Finch pitched a two-hit shutout while striking out 19 as the U.S. Olympic Team team blanked the Longstreth Regional All-Stars, 15-0 Thursday night at Bowman Field.
It was the latest stop on the Olympic Team’s “Bound 4 Beijing Tour” and drew 4,312 enthusiastic fans to Williamsport. While the U.S. recorded their 30th tour victory in preparation for the 2008 Olympics, the real winners were in the stands, specifically the young softball players who saw their heroes play in person for the first time.
“It’s very inspiring to see people you look up to right in front of your eyes,” said Loyalsock shortstop Kerri Datres, who helped with the event’s setup, arriving at 11:30 a.m. “Usually the only excitement we get up here is the Little League World Series and to see the best softball players in the world in front of us is amazing.”
High school teams from as far away as Smethport in northwestern Pennsylvania traveled in buses to see softball at its finest and to see that dreams can come true.
“It’s so great for these girls to see players that they’ve only seen on TV before,” said Bald Eagle Junior Varsity coach Jerry Watson, who traveled with 40 of his players to see the game. “It’s an inspirational thing.”
