Purcell-Fitu to Compete with USA Futures National Team

PROVO -- BYU catcher Jessica Purcell-Fitu will compete with the 2010 USA Softball Women's Futures National Team in the 2010 World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City, Okla., this weekend, July 22-26.

Purcell-Fitu, an NFCA/Louisville Slugger Pacific All-Region second team and Mountain West Conference first team selection last season, hit .374 with 65 hits, 53 RBI and nine home runs in 2010. The Cougar senior was an Easton and NFCA All-American in 2009.

The catcher gives BYU two representatives at the World Cup. BYU head softball coach Gordon Eakin is currently an assistant coach for the national team and has been traveling with the team this summer.

It’s a tremendous opportunity to be a part of USA softball competing on the biggest stage," Eakin said. "It’s also an honor for BYU softball to have a player compete on the biggest stage."

Other players on the Futures Team include Arizona players Kenzie Fowler, Lauren Schutzler and Brittany Lastrapes and Texas pitcher Blaire Luna, all of whom BYU faced in last season's NCAA tournament.

Purcell-Fitu and Eakin will be in opposite dugouts when the Futures National Team will face the USA National Team on July 24. ESPN will broadcast the game on tape delay at 1 p.m. CT.

The World Cup, the only international event hosted by ASA/USA Softball, is the only international softball event aired in the United States.

Schedule

July 22 at 7 p.m. – USA vs. Canada – ESPN and ESPN3.com

July 23 at 7 p.m. – USA vs. Japan – ESPN and ESPN3.com

July 24 at 1 p.m. – USA vs. USA Futures - ESPN (tape delay from 11 a.m.) and ESPN3.com

July 24 at 3 p.m. – USA vs. Canada (men’s slow pitch Border Battle) – ESPN and ESPN3.com

July 24 at 7 p.m. – USA vs. Japan - ESPN2 and ESPN3.com

July 25 at 4 p.m. – USA vs. Canada - ESPN2 and ESPN3.com

July 26 at 8 p.m. – No. 1 vs. No. 2 - ESPN2 and ESPN3.com

All times are local (CST) and subject to change.