Milligan College Buffaloes

by Jeff Birchfield
Johnson City Press

The biggest names in women's softball are coming to Johnson City.

Jennie Finch, Monica Abbott and the rest of the USA Softball Women's National Team will be coming to Johnson City on April 13, 2008, to play Milligan College in a tune-up for the Beijing Olympic Games.

In an announcement made at Doubletree Hotel on Friday, the Lady Buffs are scheduled to become the first-ever NAIA school to host an Olympic team.

“It is a tremendous honor for Milligan,” said Lady Buffs head coach Wes Holly. “When I mentioned it to the girls, they thought I was kidding. It will be the biggest game I've ever been a part of at Milligan. We'll have to use the entire season to prepare to play the best girls in the world. This is the pinnacle of softball.”

Johnson City is one of 42 stops across the country for the USA team on its “Bound 4 Beijing” tour. All the other opponents on the tour are either NCAA Division 1 teams like the University of Tennessee and the University of Arizona or all-star squads. Playing the national team is a daunting challenge, but Holly feels his Lady Buffs will be up for the test.

“I told our team we're not going to go over there and play the USA jersey,” said Holly. “Sure, they are the best players in the world, but we want to go over there and compete in the game of fast-pitch softball. If we do that and put forth our best effort, we will be very happy.”

While it's an honor for the whole program, it is particularly satisfying for the local players. The Lady Buffs feature eight local products including former Happy Valley standout Jessica Blevins at first base.

Blevins, who led the Lady Buffs with a .412 batting average and 55 RBIs last season, talked about facing legends of the game at her hometown venue.

“I never expected anything like this from any team I've played on,” said Blevins. “We've been looking up to these people. I can't believe this is happening to us. It's going to be a great experience for all of us. We have a great team and we're ready for it.”

Holly hopes the exhibition will bring an increased interest in softball throughout the area.

“I've tried to do a lot for fast-pitch (softball) around here with clinics and all,” said Holly. “But, this is an opportunity to see the best players in the world. When you identify the name Monica Abbott, you automatically think of UT. She definitely put fast-pitch softball on the map in Tennessee. Then you have Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Alicia Hollowell on one team, that speaks volumes of the pitching. It should inspire the girls around here to become better softball players.”

With Abbott likely to pitch when the Olympic team stops in Knoxville, there's a good chance Finch, the sport's best known player, or world championship record-holder Osterman could be on the mound in Johnson City.

The contest not only presents a big challenge for Milligan's players, but their head coach as well. Holly compiled a 567-335 record over his first 20 seasons at Milligan and was a five-time conference coach of the year. He will match wits with USA National Coach Mike Candrea, who has led Arizona to eight NCAA national championships and 19 College World Series appearances.

“You see his coaching career and the eight national championships,” said Holly. “Mike is the type of coach who gets the best out of his talent. They have the best softball program in the nation and for that matter the world. It's exciting, but somewhat nerve-wracking to go up against a coach of his caliber.”

One reason Johnson City was chosen for the exhibition is its support of ASA softball. The Chamber of Commerce, city commisioners and the city's Parks and Rec department worked together to attract a variety of girls' slow-pitch national championship tournaments to Winged Deer Park on July 24-27. Johnson City will also host the girls' 10-under Class A National Championships in 2009.

That led to Milligan playing host to arguably the best women's softball team ever assembled.

“It is a game these girls will never forget and the pinnacle game of my 20-year career at Milligan,” said Holly. “We thank everyone with Johnson City and connected with ASA for making the arrangements for the Olympic team to stop by.”