Monica Abbott struggles early, settles down in US' 4-2 win over Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Monica Abbott settled in after a rocky start and the former Tennessee softball star pitched a two-hitter in the U.S. Olympic women's 4-2 win over the No. 11 Lady Vols on Saturday.

Abbott retired 17 of the last 18 hitters she faced after giving up two early solo home runs before a capacity-plus crowd of 1,622 at Tennessee's new $7 million Lee Softball Stadium, known locally as "the house that Monica built."

She was supported by solid hitting from Caitlin Lowe, who had two doubles, and Jessica Mendoza, who drove in three runs.

"It was definitely a little surreal," Abbott said after the game. "It was a little different playing against people I grew up a lot with, people I love. Overall it was a great experience for me. It was a good day, an experience I won't have again."

Abbott was named the nation's top collegiate softball player in 2007, earning the honor over three players including Lowe. She holds NCAA Division I career records for wins (189), appearances (253), strikeouts (2,440), shutouts (112) and innings pitched (1,448). She received a standing ovation when introduced before the game and again afterward.

The event was part of the U.S. team's 46-stop tour before the Beijing Olympics. The victory came in the fourth game after the U.S. was beaten in an exhibition for the first time in almost 12 years, a 1-0 no-hit loss to Virginia Tech on March 27. Only three of 21 opponents had scored on the U.S. team during the exhibition schedule before today.

"Tennessee played great and we just played OK," U.S. coach Mike Candrea said. "I think we're a good team but we gotta go out there and play the game. We know how good the college game is now and we have to stay focused."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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