USF Athletics

Donovan Invited to Join Arioto and Moore at the 2018 Women’s National Team Selection Camp

October 17, 2017

TAMPA (Oct. 17, 2017) – Team USA invited USF's senior outfielder Astin Donovan and staff members Valerie Arioto and Jess Moore to the 2018 USA Softball Women's National Team Selection Camp.
 
"Astin did such a great job last year," said head coach Ken Eriksen. "She was actually the last person cut from the team last year. She deserves this opportunity to come back and stay in the pool. She had a great junior year and the beginning of her senior fall has been off to a bang. She's a hard worker, and she's the type of player you hope to recruit that are national team type players. She listens to Val [Arioto] and she listens to Jess Moore on what it takes to be there, and she's got some tremendous talent."
 
The camp will be held Jan. 1-5, 2018 at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater, Fla. A total of 61 athletes were invited to attend the selection camp with 56 athletes accepting the invitation. 
 
Those athletes who accepted the invitation to try out will vie for a spot on the 2018 USA Softball Women's National Team (WNT) roster, which will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's World Championship in Chiba, Japan Aug. 2-12, 2018, the World Cup of Softball XIII and select invitational events.
 
During the selection process, athletes will participate in position drills as well as simulated games and will be evaluated by the USA Softball Women's National Team Selection Committee (WNTSC). 
 
The 2018 USA Softball WNT will look to defend its gold medal finish at the 2016 WBSC Women's World Championship, where the team claimed the 10th overall World Championship title for the WNT program.  The team finished the 2016 WBSC World Championship with a .436 team batting average, 19 home runs, 80 RBI and outscored opponents 83-10.  The pitching staff was lights out, allowing just eight earned runs for a 1.19 ERA.
 
USA Softball will also hold an open tryout opportunity for players hoping to make the 2018 USA Softball WNT.  Held Dec. 31 at Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater, Fla., eligible athletes have from now through Oct. 31 to sign up through USASoftball.com for the open tryout, which will involve a series of softball related skill drills for each position, hitting and bunting.  Participants from the open tryout could be selected to participate at the USA Softball WNT Selection Camp along with the list of invited athletes. 
 
For updates on the USA Softball Women's National Team and events throughout the 2018 season visit www.USASoftball.com.
 
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Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.