June 15, 2007

Amherst, Mass. - Recent University of Massachusetts alum Candice Molinari (Glendora, Calif.) and junior Davina Hernandez (Bristol, Conn.) have each made their respective softball national teams this summer. Molinari, a 2007 UMass graduate and third-team All-American, is playing on the Italian National Team. Hernandez, meanwhile, was just today named to the Puerto Rico National Team. Both players will be in action all summer as Italy and Puerto Rico look to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Molinari and Team Italy is currently playing in the Africa/Europe Olympic Qualifier held in Trieste, Italy until June 16. Italy is currently undefeated in pool play at 2-0 and is paired with Croatia, Netherlands, South Africa and Slovakia. The other pool features Great Britain, Greece, Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria and Nigeria. All of these teams are competing for one spot in next year's Olympic Games.

After a two-week try-out, Hernandez was named to the Puerto Rican National team on Tuesday. While Puerto Rico will not compete in its Olympic Qualifier until August 18-26 in Valencia, Venezuela, Hernandez will also be in action June 30-July 8 at the Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia and the Pan American Games July 23-29 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. They will also have a training trip to Florida after the Canada Cup.