OKLAHOMA CITY — It was Jennie Finch’s goodbye party, and Team USA sent her off the right way.
The Americans scored in four separate innings, downing Team Japan 5-1 in the World Cup of Softball’s championship game Monday night at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
While Finch went 0-for-3 at the plate, and didn’t pitch, she was still the center of attention.
She was ceremoniously substituted for in the top of the seventh inning, the Japanese down to their final out. The fans, many of whom wore No. 27 Finch jerseys or shirts, gave the retiring superstar a standing ovation as she enthusiastically waved to them from the dugout steps.
“I wanted us to get the last out, and I wanted to play the last out,” Finch said with a laugh. “I wish I could have been out there. I just wanted to close the deal and finish it.”
Jessica Mendoza brought in Team USA’s first run with a single through the right side of the infield that scored Natasha Watley in the bottom of the first inning.
Caitlyn Lowe brought two runs home in the bottom of the second inning, lining a shot down the right-field line that made it all the way to the corner, allowing Lowe to go into third with a triple that put Team USA up 3-0.
That was all for Japanese starter Makiko Fujiwara, who was replaced by Naho Emoto.
Team Japan scored in the top of the third inning.
The Americans put another run on the board in the third inning. Andrea Duran bunted down the first-base line and the throw from Japanese catcher Maki Tanigawa got away from first baseman Kaoru Oyanagi. That allowed Kaitlin Cochran to score from second, putting Team USA up 4-1.
Watley brought in Ashley Charters with a sacrfice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning to round out the scoring.
Monica Abbott picked up the victory for Team USA, her third of the tournament. She allowed her first run and four Japanese hits, but controlled most of the game.
Though all of Team USA’s stars shone bright at different moments in the World Cup, it definitively belonged to Finch, whos’ been the face of the world’s best softball team for a decade.
Her former college coach at Arizona, and former coach of Team USA, Mike candrea, presented Finch with a special award after the game.
“I’m sad, but then, we just won the World Cup, so how sad can I be, right,” Finch said. “My career’s been so much more than I could ever have imagined. It’s been so special, and everyone in this game. The fans have been just great”
Jeff Johncox 366-3535 jjohncox@normantranscript.com
