DiSalvatore picked for US Junior National Team

Countryside senior GiOnna DiSalvatore saw the weird area code on her cell phone, and almost didn't asnwer Saturday afternoon.

Boy, is she glad she did.

DiSalvatore was in Las Vegas, at a break between back-to-back AAU games when she received a call from the USA softball offices. A few middle infielders on the team were hurt - they asked if DiSalvatore would be willing to join Team USA for the Junior Worlds (June 16-30)

"I didn't expect it at all," DiSalvatore said. "I was excited - and surprised."

DiSalvatore, the Times 2007 Player of the Year, will now have a whirlwind week before her first trip out of the country. She flew back to Florida Sunday to meet up with Team USA at Altamonte Springs. They will practice for a week, and then make the trek to Netherlands for the Worlds.

All DiSalvatore needs is a passport; she ordered one 10 weeks ago, but it still hasn't arrived.

"Team USA hasn't won junior worlds before," DiSalvatore. "It'd be great if we could pull it off."

DiSalvatore, a UCLA signee, hit .506 with 34 RBI for the Cougars this season, leading them to the Class 6A state semifinals. She was named to the first-team All State.

Coming up: The Times will post its All-Suncoast softball and baseball selections in Tuesday's paper.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com