OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – LSU softball’s Howard Dobson will return as an assistant coach with the 2013 USA Softball Women’s National Team this summer. It marks the second consecutive season that Dobson will be involved with Team USA.
Earlier this week, Dobson was a part of the three-day selection camp at the ASA of American Hall of Fame Complex held in Oklahoma City where 32 players competed for 18 spots on the final roster which was released Friday.
The USA Women’s National Team will compete in three different events over the next two months in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Dobson will be with Team USA when they defend their 2012 Gold Medal at the World Cup of Softball VIII, July 11-14, in Oklahoma City. Following the World Cup, Dobson and Team USA will travel to the Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship located in Surrey, British Columbia running from July 16-22.
“First off, it’s truly an honor to be involved with the USA Softball Women’s National Team program,” Dobson said. “I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to work with some of the best athletes and coaches in the country. It’s an awesome feeling knowing I’ll get the chance to represent our country during these two events. There’s no greater honor than getting the chance to wear USA across your chest during competition.”
LSU finished its second season under head coach Beth Torina with the program’s 15th 40-win season since softball was reinstated in 1997. The Tigers are slated to return 16 letterwinners sparked by A.J. Andrews, an NFCA All-America Third-Team and All-SEC First-Team selection, along with Bianka Bell and Jacee Blades, a pair of 2013 All-SEC Second-Team picks.
For all of the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.LSUsports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball along with @lsusoftball and @bethtorina on Twitter.
2013 USA Softball Women’s National Team
Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif./California 2012)
Lauren Chamberlain (Trabuco Canyon, Calif./Oklahoma junior)
Raven Chavanne (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Tennessee 2013)
Amanda Chidester (Allen Park, Mich./Michigan 2012)
Aimee Creger (Yukon, Okla./Tulsa senior)
Amber Freeman (Lakewood, Calif./Arizona State junior)
Lauren Gibson (Pasadena, Md./Tennessee 2013)
Taylor Hoagland (Flower Mound, Texas/Texas 2013)
Nicole Hudson (Webb City, Mo./Missouri 2013)
Destinee Martinez (Corona, Calif./Oklahoma senior)
Jessica Moore (Sutter, Calif./Oregon 2013)
Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla./Florida 2012)
Sara Nevins (Pinellas Park, Fla./South Florida senior)
Keilani Ricketts (San Jose, Calif./Oklahoma 2013)
Kourtney Salvarola (Arnold, Md./South Florida senior)
Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga./Missouri 2011)
Taylor Thom (Cedar Park, Texas/Texas senior)
Lindsey Ziegenhirt (Elk Grove, Calif./California 2013)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Ken Eriksen (Tampa, Fla./Head Coach: South Florida)
Assistant Coaches: Laura Berg (Corvalis, Ore./Head Coach: Oregon State), Suzy Brazney (Huntington Beach, Calif./Head Coach: Golden West College), Howard Dobson (Orange, Texas/Assistant Coach: LSU), Karen Weekly (Edmonds, Wash./Co-Head Coach: Tennessee), Mike White (Eugene, Ore./ Head Coach: Oregon)