During Olympic years, Team USA’s college players who are finalists for the Olympic squad usually travel the country playing with the national team. Garcia, Nickles and Mulipola made a joint decision with Team USA and coach Ken Eriksen to stay with their college teams this year. He said the situation favours college players who get game competition. “They actually have a bonus factor over the other 15 players in that they’re getting daily training,” Eriksen said of the college players. Garcia, a pitcher who also plays first base, was the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and Most Outstanding Player of the 2019 Women’s College World Series.

Source: thestar February 26, 2021 19:11 UTC