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Everything was outta whack
United States softball pitcher Michele Smith is at her second Olympic Games. Smith, who was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA for the gold-medal 1996 team, is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has played softball in Japan. She came in to pitch in relief against Japan on Sept. 19, tossing 5 2/3 innings. Smith, who was 2-0 in the 1996 Olympics, got the loss when Japan scored two unearned runs in the top of the 11th inning.
You were on the mound today when Dot Richardson made the errors that led to the loss against Japan. Did she say anything to you?
She did. Dot said she was "sorry." But what can you do? She's tough and will be there for us the next time that we need her. She feels badly. But she had some tough plays, and we win as a team, and we lose as a team.
It was a tough loss.
Everything was outta whack. I've never seen a U.S. softball team play like we did today. We left 22 runners on base. You can't win when you leave 22 runners on base.
We didn't do very well. Japan is a good team. I play in Japan and know a lot of the players on that team. They are good. We didn't play well today. They kept getting their foot in the door, and we couldn't slam the door shut.
What surprised you the most about the U.S. performance?
We didn't execute. We had the bases loaded, runners in scoring position time and again and we didn't get the big hit.
The other day, the players on the team were really loose. Did that carry itself over onto the field?
No. We're always serious on the field. We are relaxed and confident off the field. But we realize that this will be a tough tournament. We are not taking any teams lightly. When we go out there, we have to mean business.
What have you been doing off the field?
I went down to Darling Harbour with my family the other night. That was fun. We had dinner and walked around. My family is enjoying itself. They are going to some events and were going to wander around Olympic Park. They're here to have a good time. I'm here to take care of business.
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