Fresno State Athletics
Clark Helps Bring Home International Gold For USA Softball
7/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
July 23, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - With two losses coming by the hands of the Chinese Taipei, former Bulldog All-America shortstop Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif.) and her USA World University teammates would not back down as they would go on to win gold at the World University Games in Tainan City, Taiwan.
Rebounding from back-to-back losses to Chinese Taipei, the United States staved off elimination from the gold medal game by defeating Japan, 3-2 in 8 innings. Stellar defense kept the USA World University team in contention for the gold. Clark, who had a hit and was intentionally walked, was in on two game-deciding defensive plays when she ran down a Japanese player between second and third before starting a double play in the eighth to end the threat.
With that extra inning victory secured earlier in the day, USA would face Chinese Taipei for the third time after losing twice to the hosts (5-1 and 4-2).
In the gold medal game, the USA posted a 4-3, 8 inning victory as clutch hitting and defense allowed the United States to capture its second straight World University title.
In the eighth with runners on first and second, Clark singled to load the bases. She would score on Samantha Findlay's one out two-run double to give the United States a win.
The USA World University team posted a 6-2 tournament record. Highlighting Clark's tournament was a two-run home run in USA's 15-0 (4 inn.) victory over South Africa and recording the first hit off of Chinese Taipei's starting pitcher to break up the no-hitter in the USA's 5-1 pool play loss.
While this is Clark's first appearance with the USA National Team, she was named to the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team in 2002 where she played in the First Pan American Junior Women's Softball Championship and earned a gold medal.
To date, four Bulldogs have captured medals during international softball competition this summer. Sophomore right hander Robin Mackin (Newmarket, Ontario) has won silver (Canada Cup) and bronze (II World Cup of Softball) with the Canada Women's National Team. Former Bulldog All-Americans Laura Berg (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.) and Jamie Southern (Clovis) won gold at the II World Cup of Softball with the USA Women's National Team. And, Clark, who wrapped up her four-year career this past spring, captured gold today at the II World University Games.
2006 USA World University Games Team at World University Games Championship
July 17 USA def. South Africa - 15-0 (4)
July 17 USA def. Thailand - 7-0 (5)
July 18 USA def. Japan, 4-2
July 19 USA def. Australia, 9-1 (5)
July 20 Chinese Taipei def. USA, 4-2
July 21 Chinese Taipei def. USA, 5-1
July 22 USA def. Japan, 3-2 (8)
July 22 USA def. Chinese Taipei, 4-3 (8)
