Brooke Mitchell helps USA Schutt Elite to Canada Cup winS
SURREY, B.C. — USA Schutt Elite plated three runs in the third and erupted for six more runs in the fourth on its way to a 10-0 triumph over the Bloomington Lady Hearts on Tuesday in the 2004 Canada Cup in Softball City.
The game was shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule. A barrage of 14 hits, including a 4-for-4 performance by Caitlin Lowe and a 3-for-3 outing by Kristie Fox, was more than enough offense for left-hander Monica Abbott.
Abbott went the distance with a two-hitter and eight strikeouts to improve to 3-0 at the 2004 Canada Cup. With contests remaining against New Zealand and Canada, USA Schutt Elite upped its record to 4-1 at the event.
“I think we’re getting better,” coach Jay Miller said. “In the past when we have struggled it was because adjustments were not made. Although we were not able to score early in the game, we did a much better job of putting the hits together. Monica pitched very well and we came through with timely hits.”
On Monday, USA Schutt Elite tallied a tournament-high 12 hits and rode the one-hit pitching of University of Louisiana All-American Brooke Mitchell and Abbott to a 6-0 blanking of the Buffalo Bison’s.
Mitchell collected six strikeouts and surrendered one hit over three innings, while Abbott earned her second win of the event by fanning 10 of the 13 batters she faced over four frames.
“When the pitching staff records 16 strikeouts, it makes things a lot easier for our defense,” Miller said. “Brooke and Monica were each dominating on the mound, a positive sign as the tournament moves along.
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