Georgia athletes make national team for the first time

For all the accomplishments of Georgia athletes, none had ever made the USA Softball National Team. Until now.

Center fielder Brittany Rogers (Dacula High School, Alabama) and catcher Ashley Holcombe (Fayette County High, Alabama) have been named to the 2009 team after outstanding college careers as teammates.

Rogers is a four-time All-American, while Holcombe is an SEC All-Defensive Team selection who picked off 10 runners.

“This has to be one of the best days ever for Bama softball,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. “To have two players named to the USA National Team is an incredible honor that the entire program can share. Both Brittany and Ashley had great tryout camps and I am grateful the committee recognized the talents of both athletes.”

Rogers will play for the U.S. team at the Japan Cup in Sendai, Japan from July 31-Aug. 2. Holcombe will play for the U.S. team at the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela from July 31-Aug. 9.

Both are on the roster for the KFC World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City. That events runs July 16-20 and will air on ESPN.