University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Carda Wins Gold With USA at World Cup
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IRVINE, Calif. - Two-time All-American Ally Carda was a member of the gold-medal winning Team USA squad at last week's World Cup of Softball X, while freshman Johanna Grauer and incoming Bruin Paige Halstead each had impressive showings with the USA Junior Women's National Team.
Carda pitched in three games for the U.S. Women's National Team and did not allow a run in 7 2/3 innings of work. She struck out nine and gave up just one hit and three walks. Carda made her National Team debut against Puerto Rico on June 30 and tossed a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout.
The following day versus Argentina, Carda started and threw a no-hitter, striking out seven and giving up just one walk. That game also saw her lone three appearances at the plate, but she reached all three times on an RBI single and two walks, including one with the bases loaded. Carda also started and pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball against Canada on June 3, striking out one.
For the USA Juniors Team, which placed fifth in the tournament, Grauer pitched in three contests, striking out 11 in 10 innings and earning the win in all three of her appearances. Against Argentina on June 29, she started and fanned six in three shutout innings, giving up just one hit. Grauer earned another win on July 3 against Venezuela, striking out four in five frames. One day later, she tossed two innings of relief for another victory over Mexico, striking out one.
Halstead recorded a pair of hits in the tournament, driving in runs on both occasions with RBI singles versus Argentina and Mexico. She also scored three times. Defensively, Halstead did not commit an error in 36 chances behind the plate, also throwing out a runner attempting to steal.
Competition continues for Carda and the U.S. Women's National Team at the Pan American Games, which will take place July 19-26 in Toronto, Canada.
Grauer and Halstead will be back training with the U.S. Juniors for the last half of July and beginning of August before participating at the WBSC Softball Junior Women's World Championship in Oklahoma City (Aug. 9-15).