U.S. Softball Team Will Open Olympics Play Against Venezuela

Beijing (AHN) - The defending gold medal U.S. softball team will begin round-robin play in the Beijing Olympics on Aug. 12 against Venezuela.

The International Softball Federation announced the Olympics schedule for games on Wednesday.

The eight teams will play a round-robin schedule the first seven days with two playoffs games and the bronze medal game on Aug. 20. The final will be Aug. 21.

The three-time defending champion Americans are scheduled to announce their 15-player roster on March 28.

They will not face host China until the final day of the round-robin on Aug. 18.

The U.S. will open against Venezuela on Aug. 12, then play Australia on Aug. 13, Canada on Aug. 14, Japan on Aug. 15, Chinese Taipei on Aug. 16, the Netherlands on Aug. 17 and China on Aug. 18.

The U.S. National team is currently on a break after going 11-0 against NCAA Division I foes, out-scoring its opponents 118-0.

The U.S. team is hitting .419 and has pitched 70 shutout innings with only 10 walks and 147 strikeouts.

California native Jessica Mendoza is hitting .579 with four home runs and 19 RBIs. The next game is March 19 against Cal State Fullerton in the Judi Garman Classic. .