MARACAY, Venezuela – The USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team continued its run to a Gold Medal with two shutouts over Panama, 22-0 (3), and Antilles, 9-0 (5), today at the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela. Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.) was outstanding on the day going 5-for-5 with three homeruns, five runs scored and eight RBI.

“It's been really great to get out on the field and play these International opponents. The defense, offense and pitching have all been outstanding,” said Langenfeld. “I love being a part of a team where everyone is such a key part to the success and steps up when they need to. As a team we know we still have a road ahead of us to get to the Gold Medal game but are excited about where we are now.”

USA 22, Panama 0 (Three Innings)

The U.S. proved its 21 run win yesterday was not a fluke as they beat Panama 22-0 in three innings in the first game of the double header. The U.S. scored six runs in the first, eight in the second and eight in the third for their second three-inning run-rule victory at the Pan American qualifier. Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va.) worked the three inning game with six strikeouts for her first win of the tournament.

Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.) was perfect at the plate going 3-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored. Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.) and Langenfeld hit back-to-back homeruns in the first with Cochran's for two RBI. Ashley Holcombe (Dacula, Ga.) hit her first homerun as a member of the USA Softball team for two runs, a rocket that cleared the right field fence. Together the team had 20 hits with five triples and five doubles.

Catcher Melissa Roth (Long Beach, Calif.) also made her presence known at the plate going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a triple and a walk for two RBI.

USA 9, Antilles 0 (Five innings)

Compared to the previous two games, the offense came out a little slow scoring only five runs in the first inning. Langenfeld got it started with a three-run homerun to left centerfield. A Roth single scored Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.) who also singled. Roth scored the final run of the inning taking advantage of a passed ball to cross home.

Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.) scored a run in both the second and third inning after getting on base with a double in both innings. She scored in the second off a two-run homerun by Langenfeld and scored in the third off a two-run homerun by Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.).

Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.) earned her second win of the qualifier, hurling eight strikeouts in three innings. She allowed only one to reach, on a hit by pitch. Nikki Nemitz (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) saw action in two innings, allowing only one to reach with a hit by pitch.

“It's amazing to see a team gel together so well that did not have a lot of time to prepare. We had one two-hour practice with a group that is almost all players new to USA Softball,” said Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala.) who is standing in as head coach while Jay Miller (Starkville, Miss.) is with the Japan Cup Team. “They have gelled together tremendously well and it's an incredible thing to watch both as a coach and a fan of the game. It's been fascinating to see what they can do and we hope to continuing our win streak through the Championship game.”

The U.S. will take part in another double header tomorrow with El Salvador at noon/CT and the Dominican Republic at 2:30 p.m./CT.

About ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation's largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 83 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 210,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit http://www.asasoftball.com/.

About USA Softball
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men's, Women's, Junior Boys' and Junior Girls' National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women's National Team is one of the only two women's sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive as well as claimed two World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about USA Softball, please visit http://www.usasoftball.com/.