June 20, 2008

St. Ann, Mo. - On a hot summer day in St. Ann, Mo., UIC softball standout Sarah Clynes was in amazement when she pulled up to a packed ABC Ballpark three hours before her team was set to face the USA National Softball Team in a "Bound 4 Beijing" tour exhibition contest on June 12.

"I was astonished by the number of people at the game," said Clynes. "It was an unbelievable experience to see that many people already in their seats at 4 p.m."

When Clynes' former travel ball coach, Bob Furner, approached her about playing on the Amateur Softball Association's (ASA) St. Louis All-Stars team, she could barely express her enthusiasm.

"I was overwhelmed, but very excited that I would be able to take part in such an amazing opportunity," said Clynes. "I was going to be playing against some of the best softball athletes in the nation."

The St. Louis All-Stars' roster was a compilation of collegiate players from around the Midwest region. Despite just three practices before the big day, Clynes had an excellent rapport with her teammates since she grew up playing with half of them at some point or another in her career.

Although the sellout crowd primarily consisted of young athletes that were dreaming of the day that they might have the opportunity to represent their country on the diamond or compete at the collegiate level, fans from all ages filled the ballpark.

Unlike most of this year's tour, the St. Louis All-Stars gave Team USA a fight, allowing them to score just six runs on six hits. Prior to last week's matchup, the National Team had outscored its opponents 425-25 and defeated 34 of its 43 foes by seven runs or more.

Clynes entered the contest in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter, eventually taking over the designated player spot for the remainder of the game. Despite grounding out to third base, she made contact against one of the nation's top pitchers, Monica Abbott.

Following the game, Clynes and her teammates took pictures, chatted and got autographs from the National Team.

"The end of the game was absolutely crazy," said Clynes. "People were lined up everywhere waiting for autographs."

Clynes enters her fourth and final season with the Flames. The hurler is a three-time All-Horizon League recipient and was named the 2007 Horizon League Co-Player of the Year and 2006 Newcomer of the Year.

With this experience, she believes that she can continue to help her team succeed next season.

"I couldn't ask for better preparation before my senior year," said Clynes. "I had the chance to play against some of the best players in the world and it makes me hungrier to go out my senior year with an NCAA Regional appearance."

Despite not having the opportunity to pitch against Team USA, Clynes will walk away from this game with more than just bragging rights.

"This game has given me the confidence that I can compete against anyone," said Clynes. "There will be no limits for my senior year and I plan on leaving everything on the field."