The Czech Republic acquitted itself rather well, all things considered, in a 7-2 loss against the United States. The European side worked out of some jams, showed some defensive playmaking ability and had the tying run on deck as late as the sixth inning. But among the aforementioned things to consider are that this is not a team in the same class as Australia, Canada or Japan, and it was playing its second game of the day (having lost to Australia 11-0 in the heat of the day). All of which added up to what felt like, from the distance of a television screen, a very exhibition-esque vibe for Team USA. which made plenty of use of its roster over seven innings.
It wasn’t the most convincing win ever earned in Hall of Fame Stadium. In this instance, it didn’t need to be. Strictly from a softball point of view, what was on display in Oklahoma City didn’t match up to what was being played in Florida between the USSSA Pride and Chicago Bandits, and that’s going to take some getting used to. But rough edges and all, it’s still a national team, and it’s still loaded with a lot of talent and a lot of potential to entertain.
Player of the Game
Let’s go with Stacy May-Johnson. Sluggish as the game felt at times, Team USA didn’t really need a virtuoso individual performance from one player to gain control, and there was enough lineup shuffling to keep most from getting many opportunities for encores. But May-Johnson’s name kept popping up through the course of the action. She went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a home run to push the lead to 6-2, but she was equally notable in the field at shortstop. Good all night out there, she was best when she needed to be. With the Czech Republic threatening in the top of the sixth (you read that right), runners on first and second and no outs, she covered well at third base on a ball down the line to Jenae Leles and made a strong throw to first to complete the 5-6-3 double play.
If I was writing in Oklahoma City tonight, I would definitely be heading for Jessica Shults in search of some good stories about any fun had at the expense of the team’s oldest player — and, jokes aside, what kind of effect a player with both college coaching and professional playing experience has on such a young Team USA.
Random moment
I have a tendency to gush when the conversation turns (often at my insistence) to Val Arioto and plate discipline. Suffice it to say, if I was in a band, “Val Arioto’s Plate Discipline” would undoubtedly come up in the list of potential names (although “Etch A Sketchy” or “The Knights Who Til Recently Said Ni” would be tough to edge out).
One at-bat in the third inning of Thursday’s game showed why she may have the best eye in the sport.
The first two pitches weren’t particularly close — most hitters, certainly those at the national team level, would have been up 2-0 in the count. But a lot of those same hitters might have swung at the third pitch, a rise hanging tantalizingly in front of someone expecting something close. Arioto was tempted but checked her swing almost as soon as her hands started back, passing on a pitch that, in all likelihood would have produced nothing more than a foul ball. After the obligatory strike on the 3-0 pitch, she again held off on a 3-1 pitch low and inside that was definitely out of the strike zone but close enough to draw its fair share of swings.
A lot of really good hitters would have been in the box with a 2-2 count and largely blameless for it (and, sure, some of the really good ones might have been on base after hitting a pitch they didn’t have much business hitting). Instead, Arioto was jogging to first base to give Team USA runners on first and second with no outs, the start of an inning in which some misplays from the Czech Republic eventually helped the Americans extend a 3-0 lead to 5-0.
I’ve never seen Ben Gibbard tune a guitar or watched Mario Batali shop for vegetables. I’d like to do both before I pass. But I have seen Val Arioto play chess to a pitcher’s checkers, and as master craftsmanship goes, that ain’t bad.
Graham Hays 