Monica Abbott pitches scoreless inning for Team USA

Former Lady Vols’ pitcher Monica Abbott strikes out the side in the seventh inning to help Team USA defeat Italy.

Former University of Tennessee pitcher Monica Abbott had a short, but effective outing in her 2020 Olympics debut on Tuesday.

Abbott, one of the most decorated softball players in Lady Vols’ history, pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Team USA’s 2-0 victory over Italy.

She struck out the side after relieving former Texas star Cat Osterman. Osterman surrendered one hit and struck out nine over six innings.

Tuesday’s softball action marked a return to the Olympics for the first time in 13 years.

Abbott, a 2007 UT graduate, and Salinas, California native, and Osterman both pitched on the last Olympic team in 2008.

Team USA plays Canada on Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT.

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