Team USA 7, Oklahoma State 0

Published: March 25, 2008

•Story line: Oklahoma State pitchers gave up 11 hits, including three home runs, as Team USA cruised to its 15th consecutive victory Monday night at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

•It was over when: Shortstop Natasha Watley singled to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning, driving in two runs and putting Team USA up 7-0.

•Play of the game: In the fourth inning, Team USA's Jessica Mendoza rifled the ball from deep left field into catcher Stacey Nuveman to gun down Oklahoma State's Alysia Hamilton at home plate and quell the Cowgirls' only real scoring opportunity of the night.

•Star of the game: Designated hitter Crystl Bustos had two RBI and two home runs in as many at-bats. She was replaced in the lineup after the third inning to, in her words, "give others a chance to hit some.”

•Quotable: Hamilton on being thrown out by Mendoza: "It was an honor.”

•Noteworthy: It might not have seemed the case Monday night, but Team USA coach Mike Candrea is in Oklahoma State coach Rich Wieligman's corner.

Candrea said he recommended Wieligman to OSU athletic director Mike Holder while the pair played a Tucson golf course two years ago. Holder hired Wieligman, a former Texas A&M assistant, in June 2006.

By Blake Jackson

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