June 19, 2007

Stanford, Calif. - Stanford rising sophomores Rosey Neill and Alissa Haber begin competition tomorrow at the VIII ISF Junior Women's World Championship in Enschede, Netherlands. Haber, Neill and the rest of the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team clinched a spot at the Worlds after turning in a 10-0 record at the Pan American Qualifier last year in Puerto Rico. The team will be looking to bring home the USA's first World Championship gold medal since 1995.

As freshmen in 2007, Haber and Neill were regular starters for the Cardinal. Haber posted an impressive rookie campaign, leading the team in nearly every offensive category and earning All-Pac-10, All-Region and All-America honors. Neill was one of the top catchers in the conference, leading the league in pick-offs and finishing third in the runners caught stealing category.

A team comprised of the top high school and collegiate underclassmen in the country, Haber and Neill are among 17 players on the roster.

Sixteen teams from around the world have earned a spot in the World Championships, including: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, USA, and Venezuela. Four of these teams are making their Junior Women's World Championship debut (Botswana, Germany, Puerto Rico, and South Africa).

Action begins tomorrow and will include 66 games in ten days. The tournament will conclude with playoffs, June 28-29, and the gold medal game on Saturday, June 30.