CLEARWATER, Fla. — Following a two-day selection process, 24 athletes have been selected to continue their training for a spot on the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team (JWNT), USA Softball announced today. Chosen by members of the Women’s National Team Selection Committee (WNTSC), these athletes will compete in a training camp and exhibition games in Oklahoma City and at the World Cup of Softball XII. 

Following the conclusion of the World Cup of Softball XII, the final 17-player roster for the 2017 USA Softball JWNT will be determined. That roster will be competing at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women’s World Championship, held July 24-30 in Clearwater, Fla.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this team and how they develop,” said head coach Laura Berg (Oregon State head coach). “It’s going to be a fun and long process, but I am expecting great things to come out of this group. We’re here to defend a Gold Medal, and anything less than that is not good enough.”

Click here to see the athletes selected to the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team

In all, ten athletes will be competing with their NCAA Division I universities, while the other 14 will be a part of their respective high schools prior to the 2017 season.  Of those selected to the training team are five athletes who participated at the USA Softball Junior Women’s Open Tryout held on December 30. 

Led by Berg, assistant coaches for the 2017 USA Softball JWNT are Trisha Ford (Arizona State head coach), Kristie Fox (UT-Arlington head coach), and John Rittman (Kansas associate head coach).  

The 2017 USA Softball JWNT will look to defend the Gold after a record-breaking performance at the 2015 WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship in Oklahoma City, Okla.  The JWNT went undefeated (10-0) in Oklahoma City, finishing the tournament as the leaders in batting average (.425) and runs scored (119), while limiting opponents to just six runs.    

For more information on the USA Softball JWNT, visit USASoftball.com.

— Courtesy of USA Softball