Former Saluki softball players set to face the USA Women's National Softball Team on Friday :: Four Salukis will face Team USA as members of the ASA Midwest All-Star Team

July 17, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Former Saluki softball players Tiffanie Dismore, Lauren Haas, Krystal Stein and Becky Wegmann will face the USA Softball Women's National Team as members of the ASA Midwest All-Star Team Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Springfield, Mo. SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock will also serve as one of the assistant coaches for the team.

The ASA Midwest All-Star Team will be made up of 24 former collegiate players, 14 of which received All-Missouri Valley Conference honors during their careers, and be coached by Missouri State's Holly Hesse. Along with Hesse and Blaylock the coaching staffs of Drake, Drury, Evangel, Evansville, and Wichita State will also be on-hand to assist.

"This is something special the kids can remember the rest of their lives, and they're very excited for the opportunity to participate," said Blaylock.

It will be the third time this summer that Saluki softball players have competed against the USA National Team on its 45-city nationwide KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

2008 senior shortstop Becky Wegmann and sophomore outfielder Katie Wilson faced Team USA on June 12 as members of the St. Louis All-Star Team, and Dismore took on the USA National Team on June 19 in South Bend, Ind.

"It was really cool to play against the National Team last month, and it's an honor to be able to face them again," Dismore said. "They're the best in the world, and it will be fun to share the experience the second time with some of my former teammates."

Team USA will begin its quest for a fourth consecutive gold medal when it begins competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 12, at Fengtai Softball Field in Beijing, China.