Two-time All-American Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) recorded two international victories and had a no-decision in three days as her pitching prowess in the circle propelled the USA Elite Team to a gold medal at the 10th Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia.
Defeating the USA National Team earlier in the day on four-hit shutout ball for a 1-0 win, Southern was given the starting nod again this evening against Australia.
It took extra innings and a no-decision by Southern before the USA Elite Team would capture the 2003 Canada Cup title as they would go on to defeat Australia, 2-0 in 10 innings.
With the game scoreless through 8.0 innings of play, Southern (3-0) allowed just four hits, walked two and struck out two before being relieved in the ninth after facing one batter. Teammate Jodie Cox (3-0), who combined with Southern and pitched the final three innings against the USA National Team earlier, threw the final two innings and notched the victory over Australia.
Scoring two runs on five hits, the USA Elite Team tucked away the win after a fierce battle in the circle saw Southern/Cox defeat Australian's Brooke Wilkins/Melanie Roche. Wilkins, who started for Team Australia, gave up two hits, walked one and struck out four in 4.0 innings of work before being relieved by Roche. Roche, who pitched the final 5.2 innings, allowed two runs (both earned) on three hits, walked two and struck out two. She would then take the loss after giving up a two-out two-run home run to No. 8 batter Ihyia McMichael, who came into the game as a pinch runner the previous inning, in the bottom of the 10th.
At the Canada Cup Southern went 3-0 with a no-decision in four starts as she posted a spotless 0.00 ERA. With three shutout victories to her credit and a shared shutout over Australia, Southern allowed 12 hits in 25.0 innings of play while walking 12 and striking out a team-high 23 in five appearances.
Southern was stellar in her last three starts as she defeated China (7-0, 5 inn.), USA National Team (1-0) and combined for a win over Australia (2-0, 10 inn.). All told, Southern allowed nine hits, seven walks and struck out nine in 17.0 innings for a sparkling 0.00 ERA.
Two days ago against China, which won the silver medal in softball at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Southern pitched a one-hitter as she walked two and struck out four in 5.0 innings of work. Against the USA National Team this afternoon, which has captured back-to-back Olympic gold medals, Southern tossed 4.0 innings shutout ball as she gave up four hits, walked three and struck out three.
Southern captures her first international gold medal this evening. At last year's Canada Cup the USA Elite Team finished second the the USA National Team.
The USA Elite Team will look to take their momentum overseas next week as they travel to Yokohama, Japan, for the Japan Cup, July 18-20.