OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Stacy May-Johnson homered, Rhea Taylor had a two-run triple and the United States beat the Czech Republic 7-2 Thursday night at the World Cup of Softball.
Playing without an Olympic medalist, the Americans are fielding an inexperienced bunch instead of the group of veterans who once were a dominant force in international softball.
Superstar Jennie Finch retired from the U.S. team during last year’s World Cup, and Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman and Natasha Watley are among several former Olympic gold medalists who decided not to return to the team this year.
A group of rookie Americans still combined to win the team’s first international game on U.S. soil this year.
Taylor put the United States ahead to stay with her two-run triple to deep right field in the second inning. May-Johnson’s solo shot bumped the lead to 6-2 after the Czechs scored twice in the top of the fourth.
