DATE=8/15/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PANAMA / SOFTBALL

NUMBER=2-306529

BYLINE=DAVID B. BYRD

DATELINE=SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S women's softball team has won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic. As V-O-A's David Byrd reports, some great pitching late Thursday night led the U-S team to its fifth consecutive Pan Am title.

TEXT: After being delayed nearly three-and-one-half hours by heavy rain, the U-S team took the field against Canada. The Canadians had scored a hard-fought, five to four win over the host Dominican Republic in the bronze medal game.

The Americans took a two to nothing lead in the first inning and pitcher Cat Osterman threw a perfect game with 14 strikeouts on the night.

// Osterman act //

I felt really good today. I've had two days to prepare since they let me know that I was going to be pitching this game. Warming up in the bullpen I felt really good and I just found my groove early on.

// END ACT //

Natasha Watley added a two-run homer in the sixth inning to ensure the U-S women's softball team finished the Pan Am Games undefeated. The men's softball gold medal went to Canada, which beat the United States, four to two. (SIGNED)

NEB/SPTS/BYRD/PARKE/RH/FC