Finch was front and center as she was ceremoniously substituted for in the top of the seventh inning. With the Japanese down to their final out, the spectators gave her a standing ovation. She waved from the dugout steps.
Playing first base in her last game, she said laughing, “I wanted us to get the last out, and I wanted to play the last out. I wish I could have been out there. I just wanted to close the deal and finish it.”
Caitlyn Lowe brought home two runs in the bottom of the second inning, lining a triple to put Team USA up, 3-0.
Monica Abbott picked up the victory for Team USA, her third of the tournament.
Finch has been face for USA Softball for the last 10 years. As a dominating pitcher, she led Team USA to the Olympic Gold Medal in 2004 and Silver Medal in 2008.
Her former college coach at the University of Arizona, Mike Candrea, presented Finch with a special award after the game.
“I’m sad, but then, we just won the World Cup, so how sad can I be, right,” Finch said. “My career’s been so much more than I could ever have imagined. It’s been so special, and everyone in this game have been just great.”
Finch retired to spend more time with her family. Following the game, accompanied by her husband Casey Daigle and son Ace, she left her cleats at home plate.
Canada got the bronze medal. Team USA Futures, coached by Northwestern head coach, Kate Drohan, came in fourth place. Jordan Taylor of the University of Michigan pitched for Team USA Futures. She has led her Lady Wolverines to back to back Big Ten titles.
Finch and Natasha Watley attended Major League Baseball’s 2010 All Star game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California recently. They awarded the girls winners in the national Aquafina-“Pitch-Hit-Run” contest. It was the first-ever nationwide Girls Softball Division for the event.
Also in July, led by pitcher Alissa Haber, the Team USA Women won their seventh straight World Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.
The Amateur Softball Association of America recently appointed Michelle Gromacki, as an assistant coach for the National Team. Gromacki, who is in her 11th season as Cal State- Fullerton head coach, was part of the championship in Caracas.