REAL SPORTS Most Important Moments in Sports 2014 edition
Although the number of girls playing high school baseball is low relative to that of boys (1,259 girls versus 474,791 boys in 2013, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations), baseball enjoyed several moments in 2014 where female players shined.
© Juan Ocampo, Courtesy USA Baseball
Alexa Maldonado gives up her body during a USA Baseball scrimmage game on
August 25, 2014 at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California
August 25, 2014 at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California
While the national interest was piqued by the appearance of Mo’ne Davis in the Little League World Series, the LLWS was by no means the only event of note. After a year of no competition, the U.S. National team returned to action, competing for the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan.
On Aug. 21, one day after Davis’ team was eliminated from the LLWS, USA Baseball selected the women’s national team after three days of tryouts at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. Among of those selected was Sarah Hudek.
© Juan Ocampo, Courtesy USA Baseball
Team USA - August 25, 2014
Under manager Jonathan Pollard, the roster spent just six days working together before heading to Japan. In the first round of the World Cup, the U.S. team outscored its opponents by a combined 34-7, defeating Taipei, the Netherlands and Canada while advancing to the medal round. After defeating Australia, the team twice lost to Japan, leaving Miyazaki with the silver medal. Not bad for a team that had been playing together for just three weeks.
© Cody Wilcoxson, Courtesy USA Baseball
Team USA, having gone 4-2 with both losses coming from champion Japan,
accepts the silver medal at the World Cup on September 7, 2014.
accepts the silver medal at the World Cup on September 7, 2014.
The star for USA Baseball was 17-year-old Sarah Hudek, the daughter of former Houston Astros All-Star pitcher John Hudek. Hudek is a lefthanded reliever and outfielder on her high school baseball team in Sugar Land, Texas, and she was named the most outstanding player for Team USA. She was 6-for-12 at the plate, with three walks and two runs scored, and she pitched 13 innings with a 0.69 earned-run average. [RS]
Publisher's note: Team USA will be hosting its inaugural Women's National Open, January 16-18, 2015. The Open will serve as the primary identification method for the team.
© Cody Wilcoxson, Courtesy USA Baseball
Sarah Hudek receives the most outstanding player award for Team USA
at the World Cup.
Sarah Hudek receives the most outstanding player award for Team USA
at the World Cup.
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