Aug. 18, 2011

BERKELEY - California softball sophomore sensation Britt Vonk and the Netherlands successfully defended their European Women's Championship title, defeating Italy, 10-2, Aug. 20 at the 20-nation fast pitch event.

Saskia Kosterink, a member of the 2008 Olympic team, led the way with a double and a home run and five runs batted in. Just 24 hours earlier, the Dutch had needed an extra inning to defeat Italy, 5-1, after the host country had tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The top three finishers earned a berth in next year's ISF XIII Women's World Championship, meaning that the Netherlands, Italy and Great Britain have all clinched a spot at the event next July in Canada.

Vonk 2011 Quick Hits
-Placed on the NCFA All-Pacific Region First Team
-First on the team, hitting .415
-Named to the All-Pac-10 Second Team and All-Freshman Team
-Her on-base percentage of .502 ranked her first amongst the Bears
-Second on the team in the NCAA Tournament, hitting .419
-Has 26 steals in 31 attempts
-Started all 58 games at short
-Knocked in 13 RBI and led the Bears with 26 walks

Final EWC Standings
1. Netherlands
2. Italy
3. Czech Republic
4. Russia
5. Spain
6. France
7. Austria
8. Germany
9. Belgium
10. Sweden
11. Slovakia
12. Bulgaria
13. Hungary
14. Ukraine
15. Israel
16. Poland
17. Denmark
18. Croatia
19. Switzerland