HADLEY — Hopkins Academy sophomore Thea Hanscom was in the middle of a high school tournament run, but the opportunity to try out for USA Baseball’s 2018 Women’s National Team was something that could not be passed up.
Hanscom spent seven days competing in the Women’s National Open and Women’s National Team Trials, held at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
“It was lots of fun, I learned a lot,” Hanscom said.
Hanscom was one of over 100 female athletes competing at the Women’s National Open, June 8-10, for a spot on the 40-player Women’s National Team trials roster, which is where the 2018 World Cup team is selected from. Hanscom performed well enough to earn a spot on the Stripes trials team, which played a three-game series against the Stars from June 12-14.
“It was a dream come true, I felt that everything I was working for had paid off,” Hanscom said.
In Game 1, Hanscom started in left field and went 0-for-1. She pitched the fifth inning in relief. She faced three batters and walked one. The Stripes won 5-3.
In Game 2, Hanscom played DH then moved to second base. She was 0-for-1 with a strikeout and had one putout in a 10-4 loss.
In Game 3, Hanscom played DH and was 1-for-1 with a walk. She pitched the fifth and had a perfect inning in a 7-4 win.
Hanscom was the second youngest player selected for the team trials. She did not make the National Team, which was announced Monday.
“I felt the competition was pretty strong,” Hanscom said. “There were a lot of talented girls out there.”