Aug. 10, 2008

BEIJING, China -- The University of Mobile (Ala.) has five past or present softball players on the Venezuelan National Softball Team that will open play in the 2008 Summer Olympics Tuesday, August 12th versus the U.S. National Team.

The Lady Rams were also well-represented at the Opening Ceremonies (Aug. 8) as former Lady Ram Maria Soto was selected to carry the Venezuelan Flag at the ceremonies. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez presented the flag to the softball team.

"You are already writing pages in the Venezuelan history. From my hands of soldier I give you this flag to the daughters of the homeland, to the daughters of the flag," Chavez said when delivering the flag to team captain Maria Soto.

Current University of Mobile center fielder Yaicey Sojo, second baseman Jineth Pimentel and Assistant Coach Maribel Riera are joined on the team by Lady Ram alumni Soto and Denisse Fuenmayor.

Fuenmayor posted a career .376 batting average at Mobile, Soto totaled 264 hits from 1998-03 in the Mobile lineup, Riera hit .364 for the Lady Ram's 2006 National Championship team, Sojo is a two-time NAIA All-American at Mobile, and Pimentel earned All-American honors in her first season with the Lady Rams.

The Venezuelans play the U.S. August 12th at noon and then battle China at 9:30 am on August 13th to begin the action.