WPCNR PRESS BOX. July 13, 2004: After a 2-out walk to Lisa Fernandez on a very close pitch, Stacey Nuveman hit a Peaches James pitch over the centerfield fence for a two-run homer to keep Team USA, the Olympic Softball Team, undefeated and sweep a doubleheader from the National Pro Fastpitch East and West Stars, 5-3 in the nightcap at Oklahoma City before a crowd of over 5,000 fans. The contest actually resulted in the Associated Press covering a National Pro Fastpitch contest for the first time in the history of the new league.

Team USA travels to the Metropolitan area to play the new-look Stratford Brakettes in Stratford Connecticut this Saturday in a doubleheader. The Brakettes report that game is sold-out, and Brakette Manager John Stratton says he hopes his kids are "not in awe" of them.

The NPF Wests behind Texas Thunder's  Christa Williams took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh with a shot to hand Team USA their first loss after 48 wins in a row.

However, Cheryl Bolding dropped Jessica Mendoza's leadoff liner to left. The pitcher Christa Williams messed up a sacrifice bunt for a second error, setting Team USA up with runners on first and third. Williams got Natasha Whately on a slap for one out, but Leah Amico singled on a bloop to center to tie it up 3-3. Williams induced Crystl Bustos to foul out and got Lisa Fernandez at second to end the inning.

Bustos got TEAM USA on the comeback trail in the last of the sixth when after Jessica Mendoza singled, Crystl launched a 2-run homer to cut the NPF lead to 3-2. Then the unearned run in the seventh set the contest to extra frames.

Team USA threatened in the 8th against the Texas Thunder's Peaches James, who walked the first two hitters, but James eased out of a bases-loaded jam.

In the 9th, the NPF West All-stars threatened when with a walk with one out,  Bolding struck out and could not move the runner. Texas Thunder-er Kristin Zaleski singled. Osterman walked the next hitter than fanned the California Sunbirds Jaime Foutch with the bases loaded.

3-0 and breezing. But it was not to be.

The West All-Stars Texas Thunder's Kristen Zaleski singled and moved to second in when teammate Lindsay Gardner, beat out a sacrifice. USA's legend, Jen Finch, attempting to cut down Zaleski at second, threw the ball into centerfield  with Zaleski given third on interference by USA's Natasha Watley at short. Julie Marshall of the California Sunbirds laid down a squeeze to plate Zaleski, for a 1-0 NPF West lead.

Zaleski tripled to score Arizona Heat-er Cheryl Bolding after Cheryl had beat an infield single. The Thunder's Lyndsay Gardner singled Zaleski home and Team USA was down 3-0.

The tense contest was the closest game Team USA has ever had, the Team USA stars having outscored their previous 48 opponents since last September,  439 runs to 14.

Cat Osterman, the Texas star and former Stratford Brakette won the game for Team USA with 4 and 1/3 innings of sparkeling relief only getting in trouble in the 9th, after the NPF West stars had knocked Jenny Finch out of the circle in the 5th. Peaches James took the loss, but pitched cleverly and intelligently against the minefield lineup of Team USA.

The NPF West and NPF East Stars meet tonight in the National Pro Fastpitch All-Star game. The first pitch is scheduled for 8 P.M. E.D.T., 7 P.M. C.D.T. and the game may be heard live in its entirety on the internet at  www.npf.prosportsradio.com.