Gators trying to make Team USA: Four UF players are spending their week in Chula Vista, Calif., at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Megan Bush, Cheyenne Coyle, Michelle Moultrie and Brittany Schutte are vying to be included on the 17-person roster for the U.S. Softball Women’s National Team.
If selected, the players will participate in six events in three countries — highlighted by the World Cup of Softball VI (July 21-25, Oklahoma City) and the 2011 Pan American Games (Oct. 17-23, Guadalajara, Mexico).
The team will also have a three-city U.S. exhibition tour that makes a stop in Plant City on June 25.
Out of the 35 players invited to the selection camp — which runs from June 12-17 and features position drills and exhibition games — only Coyle and Arizona State ace Dallas Escobedo are freshmen.
Kelsey Bruder, Tim Walton begin new season: Just three days after watching one of his seasons end, UF coach Tim Walton found himself leading another team on Friday night at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Walton also coaches the USSSA Pride of National Pro Fastpitch — a Kissimmee-based team that started its third season with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Bandits on Friday.
Second-round draft pick Kelsey Bruder joined the team on Saturday and served as a pinch runner in Sunday’s game.
“Kelsey is obviously in for a whole new world,” Walton said. “The talent we have on that team [may be equal] to some Olympic teams that have been out there. She’s in for a wonderful experience, learning a lot about the game.”
The Pride features eight former Olympians, including Cat Osterman, Jessica Mendoza and Caitlin Lowe.
Bruder joins former Gator Francesca Enea on the squad, which begins another series with the Bandits in Rosemont, Ill., on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Incoming freshman receives state honor: Dunnellon High infielder Sami Fagan was named Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year on Thursday.
The UF signee will add the trophy to her family’s collection. Older sister and Gators third baseman Kasey Fagan won the award twice and was the second softball player ever to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2010.
Sami is a lead-off speedster who has seen time at shortstop and catcher during her high school career. As a senior at Dunnellon, she batted .693 with four triples and 28 stolen bases. She had a state record 63-game hit streak during her sophomore and junior seasons.
Fagan is part of a 2011 Florida recruiting class touted as the best in the nation by ESPN Rise.
