OKLAHOMA CITY -- Lisa Fernandez will return to the U.S. softball team for a chance at a fourth -- and possibly last -- Olympic gold medal.
Fernandez, the gold-medal winning pitcher who also led the Americans in hitting at the Athens Games, was one of 18 players selected to the U.S. roster Monday. Fernandez had taken a three-year hiatus from competition to give birth and take care of her first child, Antonio.
She and outfielder Laura Berg will be trying for their fourth gold medals next August in Beijing, the last time softball is scheduled to be played at the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee voted to drop the softball and baseball from the 2012 Games, and softball officials are trying to get it reinstated for 2016.
Twelve members of the 2004 gold-medal winning team are back on the roster, including slugger Crystl Bustos and pitchers Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman.
The potential Olympic newcomers will be left-hander Monica Abbott, infielder Andrea Duran, right-hander Alicia Hollowell and outfielder Caitlin Lowe. The national team will go on a 40-city tour before the Beijing Games, with the 15-player Olympic roster being finalized next July. The remaining three players will be replacements for the Olympic team.
Other members include Tairia Flowers, Vicky Galindo, Lovieanne Jung, Kelly Kretschman, Lauren Lappin, Jessica Mendoza, Stacey Nuveman, Jenny Topping and Natasha Watley.
The U.S. has won all three gold medals since softball was added to the Olympics in 1996.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Source: ESPN.com
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