Over the weekend, the 11-country, 13-team USA Softball International Cup concluded with a 10-5 championship game win for USA Red over Japan.
Throughout the International Cup, Oswego State softball was well represented, having two individuals – out of less than 250 competing players – participating in the event. Reigning SUNYAC Player and Pitcher of the Year, Rebecca Vilchez, pitched for Team Peru while Laker assistant coach and former Syracuse University standout Morgan Nandin represented Team Colombia.
Vilchez appeared in four games for the Peruvian national squad, allowing earned runs in just one of those outings. Nandin – a shortstop – played in seven games, batting .250 with an on-base percentage of .333.
On the final day, Vilchez faced Nandin's Colombian national team but the pair unfortunately never faced each other one-on-one. The rising junior tossed the final two frames, surrendering just one hit while fanning three batters. Vilchez's efficient pitching did not allow for her assistant coach to make it back into the batter's box. Nandin had a successful day at the plate, however, going 2-for-3 with a double, a single and three RBI. The day resulted in an 8-0 triumph for Colombia thanks to Nandin's performance at the plate and despite Vilchez's work in the circle.
Nandin helped guide Vilchez and two other Lakers to All-SUNYAC accolades as a part of head coach Abby Martin's staff in 2018. Oswego clinched the fourth-seed in the SUNYAC Championship, its second-straight season making the postseason in just three years of Martin and Nandin in the dugout. Vilchez concluded the year on the NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team and was the first SUNYAC softball player to earn Player and Pitcher of the Year in the same season.
