Fresno State Athletics
Laura Berg Helps Team USA Defeat Italy in Olympic Opener
8/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Aug. 14, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - The United States Women's National Team opened Olympic play in Athens, Greece, with a 7-0 (5 inn.) victory over Italy earlier today at the Helliniko Olympic Softball Stadium. Former Fresno State All-America outfielder and two-time Olympic softball gold medalist Laura Berg helped the United States get out to a fast start after going 1-3 with a run and a RBI. As temperatures reached as high as 95 degrees with a 12 noon start in Athens, the USA jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings of play before tacking on three in the fifth to record the first mercy run-rule softball victory of the XXVIII Olympiad. After designated player Lisa Fernandez put the United States up 1-0 after one full inning of play, the USA plated a three-run second as Berg connected for a RBI single that gave her team a 3-0 lead. Berg would score all the way from first in a three-run fifth to hand the U.S. Women's National Team its first win in preliminary Olympic action. USA's Natasha Watley was the offensive juggernaut after going 4-4 with a run, double, triple and two RBI. Starting pitcher Jennie Finch recorded her first Olympic victory after striking out five in 3.0 innings of work. The United States, which used three pitchers that combined for 10 strikeouts on a three-hitter in the win this morning, recorded its 11th shutout in 20 Olympic games played as USA Softball improved to 16-4 in Olympic competition since 1996. The United States will meet Australia tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m., PST). Australia opened Olympic play with a 4-2 victory over Japan. Also in the first day of Olympic softball competition Canada defeated Chinese Taipei (2-0) and China defeated Greece (5-0). Former Bulldog softball standout Vanessa Czarnecki played second base for Greece and went 0-2 as the host country lost in its Olympic debut. NOTES: Lovie Jung, who played at Fresno State her freshman and sophomore years, went 1-3 with a double and a run ... The USA garnered home team status in six of its seven preliminary games after winning a coin toss for each game; the United States will be the visitors in its Aug. 16 game versus Japan. For up-to-the minute information on Team USA, please visit www.usasoftball.com.
