July 11, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn softball program was represented on the international scene over the weekend at the World Cup of Softball XII in Oklahoma City, Okla. Four Tigers saw action on the field for the USA and Canada national teams.
Kasey Cooper was the lone representative on the USA Softball Women's National Team, while rising sophomore Alyssa Rivera and signee Taylon Snow suited up for the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT). Fellow signee Kara Bilodeau earned a spot on the Canadian Women's National Team.
Cooper and Team USA secured the silver medal, while Bilodeau and Canada took bronze. Rivera, Snow and the JWNT attained fifth place in an eight-team field that also featured Australia, Japan, Mexico, Philippines and Puerto Rico.
Cooper saw action at third base and as the designated player for the Red, White and Blue. She played in five games, leading Team USA to a 7-1 record in the competition. Cooper drew a pair of walks, scored one run and held a perfect fielding percentage en route to a second-place finish.
Bilodeau earned her first career international cap in a contest against Cooper and Team USA. The soon-to-be freshman recorded one inning of work in the circle and surrendered just one hit. Bilodeau tossed 24 pitches - 14 of which were strikes - in her lone appearance for Canada.
Rivera touted a .462 batting average and scored five runs in five games in the field. She ripped two doubles and tallied a .615 slugging clip. Rivera also showed off her speed with two stolen bases.
Snow was responsible for nine outs defensively in five games in the infield. She crossed the plate four times and also contributed a pair of base knocks for her country.
Next up for Cooper and Team USA are training camps in California (July 12-14) and Alabama (July 19-23) before entering competition at the Pan American Championship Qualifier in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Aug. 4-13.
Bilodeau and Canada return to action right away with the Canada Cup International Softball Championship, July 11-17, before returning to the United States for a pair of exhibitions against the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch, July 31-Aug. 1.
Rivera and Snow enter a six-day training camp in Clearwater, Fla., July 17-24. Then, the duo and the JWNT host the WBSC Junior Women's World Championship, July 24-30.