July 12, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- Baylor softball shortstop Maritza Martinez has been selected to play for the Dominican Republic Women's National Team at the KFC World Cup of Softball as the squad will open play at the annual event on Thursday, July 12, when the team faces Japan at 6:00 p.m. at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. Following game one against Japan, Martinez and the Dominican Republic will square off against Canada at 8:30 p.m.
In addition to the opening round contests on Thursday, Martinez and the Dominican Republic will face the USA Women's National Team on Saturday, July 14, at noon in a game nationally televised by ESPN.
The Dominican Republic will also face Venezuela (Fri., July 13, 9:30 p.m.) and China (Sun., July 15, 2:30 p.m.) in the round-robin event before elimination play begins on Monday, July 16.
Last season, Martinez helped lead the Lady Bears to their first-ever Big 12 Conference regular season title and the school's first Women's College World Series berth in school history.
The defensive specialist, who will be a senior next season, saw action in 51 games, starting in 34, while posting a .939 fielding percentage at shortstop and second base.
The KFC World Cup of Softball features the top women's fast pitch teams in the world including the defending champion, USA Women's National Team, along with 2005 World Cup Champion Japan as well as women's national teams from China, Canada, Venezuela along with the Dominican Republic.
