Alekman, Paratore help USA win softball world cup

It's crazy to even fathom this, but a pair of Oak Ridge sophomores helped Team USA win the WBSC under-15 women's softball world cup. Two players from the same high school out of a roster of 16 pulled from players from all over the nation is pretty incredible. On top of that, to win the tournament and be a world champion makes it more special. And on top of that, both players had tremendous tournaments for Team USA. Sam Alekman was the team's leading hitter with a .556 batting average, as she had 10 hits in 18 at bats, scored 10 runs, doubled twice and drove in seven. Brooklyn Paratore hit .533 with eight hits in 15 at bats, scoring seven runs, driving in four and walking four times. Both Alekman and Paratore are catchers and caught four games each during the tournament, while Alekman also played some left field and Paratore played some first base. Team USA won eight of nine games they played, outscoring their opponents 77-2. In their two closest games, Team USA lost to World No. 2 team Japan, 2-1. Alekman and Paratore both had hits in the game, but it wasn't enough. Paratore played behind the plate, while Alekman was a designated hitter. In the championship game, Team USA played World No. 3 Puerto Rico because Puerto Rico had beaten Japan 3-2 in the previous round. Team USA won the game, 3-0, and won the tournament. Alekman scored a run in the game, while Paratore again was behind the plate and drew a walk. "To win the championship game, it's crazy," Alekman said. "I never believed I'd be on a Team USA and winning is such an honor. Being a world champion and all of us working together, again it's such an honor. I had a great time." And finishing with the highest batting average on the team? "That's really exciting too, because I worked really hard since last time we were in Japan because I didn't hit like I hoped I would. I put in a lot of hard work. I took my practices more serious and just had many lessons and worked on many hitting drills. It felt really good to hit well." Alekman said her best moment of the tournament was during a 5-1 win against Mexico. "I was catching Macie Bryant, and I felt I did a good job behind the plate receiving, and I also threw a girl out trying to steal," Alekman said. "I also doubled and had two hits in the game." Paratore's top moments came against Japan and in the championship game against Puerto Rico. "Just catching in the championship game is an honor," Paratore said. "I worked so hard for this entire moment and getting to catch in the championship game made it feel like all my hard work had paid off. I'd say that and catching the game versus Japan, just because they are always our biggest competition. "It's kind of scary to think that we're the best in the world at this point. This is the first U-15 tournament and it's a big honor to win it."