EVANSVILLE, Ind.--Brittany Herald will represent the University of Evansville and join 23 other former collegiate standouts from the Midwest against the USA Softball Women’s National team as part of the KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour, Friday, July 18, at Meador Park in Springfield, Mo. The ASA Midwest All Stars will face off against the three-time defending Olympic champions in a 7:30 p.m. contest.

“It is an honor to be asked to be a part of the Midwest All-Star Team,” said Herald. “Playing against Team USA is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I look forward to playing with and against the caliber of athletes that will be there and representing the University of Evansville. It should be a very exciting and competitive game.”

Herald concluded the 2008 regular season as the Missouri Valley Conference batting champion hitting .400 with nine home runs. Among her many awards during the season, Herald was named NFCA First Team Mideast All-Region, MVC All-Tournament, MVC All-Conference, and a 2008 MVC Scholar-Athlete. In addition, Herald recently joined the Evansville coaching staff as the Aces’ pitching coach.

Evansville softball head coach Gwen Lewis will join the coaching staffs of Missouri State, Drake, Drury, Evangel, Southern Illinois and Wichita State to provide assistance during the game.

The Midwest’s roster includes 14 players who earned All-MVC honors during their careers. Joining Herald and representing the MVC will be Michelle Armentrout, Shannon Buslepp, Samantha Fleeman, Katie Martin and Melissa Porche (Missouri State), Kristin Birocci (Drake), Ashley Bright (Wichita State), Jaci Faidley (Drake), Cynthia Verhulst (Wichita State) and MVC Player of the Year, Lauren Haas (Southern Illinois).

Team USA began its 62-game pre-Olympic tour in February playing against some of the top NCAA Division I programs, regional all-star teams and international squads from across the country. Olympic record-holders Lisa Fernandez and Crystl Bustos, as well as superstars Monica Abbott, Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Stacey Nuveman and Cat Osterman lead the way for a squad that has hit .432 and scored 599 runs, while limiting its opponents to a .089 batting average and just 26 runs scored in 52 games.

Team USA will begin its quest for a fourth consecutive gold medal when it begins competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 12, at Fengtai Softball Field in Beijing, China.