California State University at Northridge
USA Softball Women's National Team
CSUN To Host USA Softball Women’s National Team Sunday
5/10/2021 1:34:00 PM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—The CSUN softball team will conclude the 2021 season in a big way Sunday afternoon when the Matadors host the USA Softball Women's National Team (WNT) in an exhibition.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the two clubs will play 10 consecutive innings with members of the WNT playing against and alongside the Matadors during the day.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, tickets for the game will be limited to a pass list available to families of CSUN student-athletes and coaches. Live stats will be available on both TeamUSA.org and GoMatadors.com and game will be streamed live at the following link:
Big West TV
Brandon Marcus will handle the play-by-play with former CSUN All-American, head coach, and 1996 Olympian Barb Jordan on the color.
"We couldn't be more excited for this opportunity to play Team USA as they get ready for the Tokyo Olympics," said CSUN Head Coach, Charlotte Morgan. "I have played with and against some of the Team USA players like Cat Osterman and am thrilled to be able to see them compete and have our program be a part of their preparation for the Olympics. This experience doesn't come around often, and our team cannot wait to be able to play against the best in our game while being able to learn from them at the same time. Having this opportunity is also great for our University to be able to welcome back our fans to see the best of the best. We want to thank USA Softball for everything they are doing to represent our country and the game we play every day."
Sunday's game will conclude a three-game series that is part of the 2021 "Stand Beside Her" tour, presented by Major League Baseball (MLB), and provided much-needed preparation as the U.S. WNT continues its focus on claiming a fourth Olympic Gold Medal at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games. After this year's games, softball will not be played again until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The WNT is 10-0 after defeating the University of San Diego 5-0 on May 6 and Loyola Marymount 9-1 on May 10. The 18-player USA roster has been without Rachel Garcia, Dejah Mulipola, and Bubba Nickles as well as assistant coaches Laura Berg, Howard Dobson, Flowers, and Heather Tarr who all remain with their respective collegiate teams. Assisting Head Coach Ken Eriksen with coaching will be Laura Ricciardone, Kyla Holas, and two-time Olympian Kelly Kretschman while Haylie Wagner will join the team as a training player for May.
Playing at Alabama and coaching at the professional level, Morgan has ties to several of the players in the USA Softball dugout.
"I'm excited to have USA softball here, I played with and coached against a lot of them," Morgan said. "I have known Cat Osterman since I took my unofficial visit to Texas in my junior year in high school. I had the opportunity to play with her on the USSSA Pride for three seasons and against her for two more years. She is one of my good friends and we have stayed in close contact throughout the years. To be able to coach against her and see her play in the USA jersey one last time is so exciting."
"I have also played and coached against Monica Abbott since we were back in college and throughout our professional careers," Morgan continued. "Haley McClenny played at Alabama after I graduated but always exciting to see other alumni play from your college program. There are a handful of other players that I know and I am excited to see them compete here on our field. One of the assistant coaches who is with the USA program right now is Kelly Kretschman who is one of my best friends. We played together at Alabama and we played with each other on the USSSA Pride. She is one of the best hitters in our game. Kelly is one of the smartest softball players I have ever known. To be able to bring all these amazing women who are at the top of our game and competing for our country in the Olympics is an honor to be able to play against them here at CSUN."
~#UniteTheValley~
