USA Softball Set for 2015 Japan Cup
Thursday, August 6, 2015 | Softball
OGAKI, Gifu, Japan – Fresh off a silver medal performance at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, University of Florida infielder Kelsey Stewart and Gator alumna Michelle Moultrie will compete with the USA Softball Women's National Team in Ogaki City, Japan for the 2015 Japan Cup (August 9-11).
Team USA will participate in an exhibition game and practices before taking on Australia on Friday, August 7 at 3 p.m. JST (2 a.m. EST) in their first game of the Cup.
Beginning on Friday, team USA will join Australia, Chinese Taipei and Japan for the Cup, a three-day tournament held in Ogaki City, Japan. This year marks the first time since 2010 that the Japan Cup has been held, with Team USA defeating host country Japan 5-0 in the Championship Game of the 2010 tournament.
Following Friday's contest with Australia, the Eagles will continue play on August 8 against Japan at 3 p.m. JST (2 a.m. EST) immediately followed by a 6 p.m. JST (5 a.m. EST) contest against Chinese Taipei. On August 9, the teams with the second a third best records will play in the Bronze Medal Game at 11:30 a.m. JST (10:30 p.m. August 8 EST) while the Gold Medal Game between the No. 1 and No. 2 seed will take place at 2 p.m. JST (1 a.m. EST).
Live stats will be available during the Japan Cup at the tournament website. Fans at home can follow along with recaps and more at ASAUSASoftball.com. For the latest updates about the 2015 National Champion Gator Softball team, stay tuned to GatorZone.com, follow the Gators on Twitter and visit them on Facebook.
Below is the Japan Cup schedule for the United States:
| UNITED STATES | ||
| Time (ET) | Opponent | Date |
| 2 a.m. | Australia | August 7 |
| 2 a.m. | Japan | August 8 |
| 5 a.m. | Chinese Taipei | August 8 |
| 10:30 p.m. | Bronze Medal Game | August 9 |
| 1 a.m. | Gold Medal Game | August 9 |
At the Pan American Games in Toronto just 10 days ago, Moultrie played in all of Team USA's seven games compiling a .357 batting average with one run scored, two RBI and five hits in 14 at-bats. Meanwhile, Stewart appeared in six contests and scored four runs while hitting .210.
Prior to that, Stewart and Moultrie helped the United States to a championship at the World Cup of Softball X. The Stars and Stripes won the event for the eighth time in the event's 10-year history. Moultrie captured gold in a World Cup for the fourth time in her five-year career with Team USA (also: 2011, 2012, 2014), and Stewart earned a medal for the third consecutive year after she won silver at the 2013 ISF X Junior Women's World Championship and a gold at last year's General Tire World Cup of Softball IX with the USA team.
Stewart appeared in all of Team USA's eight games during the week in Irvine, compiling a .350 batting average with seven runs scored, three RBI, two extra-base hits and two stolen bases. Meanwhile, Moultrie played in each game as well and scored eight runs, recorded five walks and hit .250.
Check out the 2015 USA Softball Women's National Team roster that has been competing together since the World Cup of Softball X.
