When softball returns to the Olympics for the first time since 2008 on Wednesday at Fukushima Azuma Stadium, star pitcher Monica Abbott will be returning along with it.
Abbott's last experience in the Olympics came with the United States in Beijing 13 years ago. After tossing an eight-inning gem in a semifinal win over Japan and ace pitcher Yukiko Ueno, Abbott pitched the final two innings of the Americans' loss to the Japanese in the gold medal game.
Abbott has moved on from that game in the ensuing years, pitching professionally in both Japan and the U.S in addition to a successful international career. But that is not to say there aren't still lingering memories from 2008.