St. Louis Diamond Cats

Good luck to JJ!  She is headed to Venezuela to play for Team U.S.A Women's Baseball!  She played her first international game August 6th against Australia, going 3-3!  She will leave for Venezuela on Tuesday, August 10th.  What a great opportunity for a very talented young woman!  The Cats are proud!

Round 1 Pool B

Thursday, August 12

• vs. Japan - Lost 1 - 5: JJ played shortstop and batted 2nd.  She went 1 for 3 with a walk and run scored.  She had 1 putout and 3 assists.

Friday, August 13

off day for Team U.S.A.

Saturday, August 14

All games were canceled when a stray bullet entered the stadium and struck the Hong Kong shortstop in the leg.  She recovered quickly but games were on hold as the international community tried to decide what to do with the tournament.

Sunday, August 15

It was decided to resume play and security was tightened.  Hong Kong left the tournament but all other teams remained to play.

• vs. South Korea - Won 21 - 0: JJ played right field and batted 2nd.  She went 2 for 2 with a double, walk and scored 3 runs.  She had 3 rbi's and saw no action in right field.  Cumulative stats including the games played with Australia before they traveled to Venezuela: BA .625 (10 for 16), 4 doubles, 8 rbi's, 3 walks, 2 stolen bases
• vs. Cuba - Won 5 - 0: JJ played shortstop and batted 2nd.  She had 3 hits in 4 at bats, and had 1 putout and 1 assist.  Cumulative stats: BA .650 (13 for 20)

Monday, August 16

• vs. Puerto Rico - Won 9 - 0: JJ started on the mound and pitched 2 perfect innings.  She did not hit or go into the field after pitching.

Pool B Standing after Round 1...1st Japan (4-0), 2nd USA (3-1), 3rd Cuba (2-2), 4th Puerto Rico (1-3), 5th South Korea (0-4)

Round 2 Pool C

Tuesday, August 17

off day for Team U.S.A.

Wednesday, August 18

• vs. Canada - Won 10 - 1: JJ got the win from the mound, pitching 4 innings and giving up 1 earned run, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts.  She played 2 innings in right field and ended the game at shortstop.  She batted 2nd and had and amazing day at the plate.  JJ went cinco cinco (5 for 5) with 2 doubles, 3 runs, 2 stolen bases, and she scored on a run down after a missed squeeze bunt had her caught off 3rd. She was a star of the game and was interviewed with an interpreter on the Venezuelan television station that broadcast the show. Cumulative Stats: BA .692, 6 doubles, 11 runs, 8 rbi's, 4 walks, ERA 1.00, record 3-0, 9 innings pitched, 5 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts.
• There is a video feed that can be followed at http://www.vive.gob.ve/senalVivoExp.php.

Thursday, August 19

• vs. Venezuela - Lost 6 - 7: Team USA watched Venezuela erase a 5-0 deficit in the 5th and went on to fall 6-7 in front of a huge crowd of 14, 500 fans.  JJ went 0-3 with a walk and an rbi.  Cumulative Stats: BA .621 (18 for 29), 6 doubles, 9 rbi's, and 5 walks.

Friday, August 20

• vs. Australia - Lost 6 - 19: USA fell behind early giving up 7 runs in the 1st inning. JJ went 1 for 4 scoring 2 runs and reaching on an error.  She played shortstop and had 1 putout and 1 assist.  Cumulative Stats: BA .576 (19 for 33)

Round 3 Medal Round 

Saturday, August 21

• vs. Japan - Lost 1 - 6: JJ hurled 5 strong innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 2.  She also led the USA at the plate going 2 for 3 with the only rbi.  The next game will be for the bronze medal against the loser of Venezuela vs. Australia.

Sunday, August 22

• vs. Venezuela - Won 15 - 5: Team USA captured the bronze in overwhelming fashion! JJ went 2 for 2 with a sacrifice fly.  She played right field and did not get any chances.  She was interviewed after the game and the interpreter said that she and Tamara Holmes were considered heroes in Venezuela, and what did she think about that?  She was very modest and complimented the home town fans and how enthusiastic the crowd was.  She was indeed the Diamond Cat hero of the World Cup!  We are so proud of her!!!

JJ was honored by being selected to the All-Star Team at the end of the tournament.  Out of all the players in the world, she was selected as the shortstop for the all-tournament team.  Great job, JJ!!