Local softball team takes on Olympians

By Lindsey Henley

Published: July 24, 2008

They’re from Galax, Danville, Roanoke, and Christiansburg, to name a few, and they’re gearing up to take on the best in the world.
“[We’ve] always idolized them and want to be like them.  To get the chance to play with them is just great,” Mary Greenway said.
The Salem All-Stars will square off at Kiwanis field Thursday night against the Olympic Softball Team.
Greenway went to Cave Spring High School and played at UNC Greensboro.
“Roanoke is a pretty small town, and [we] don’t get the opportunities, say people on the West Coast, might have.  Just to have the chance to bring this kind of game to the Salem area is amazing,” she said.
Beth Walker is from Galax.  She and her Virginia Tech teammates played and beat the USA Team four months ago.
“I’m so excited.  It’s a great honor to get to play them again,” Walker said.
“The more competitive we are, the better that it’s going to make them, which gives a greater chance of taking home the gold in Beijing, so it works out well,” Greenway said.
Once August roles around, the girls will go back to being fans.
“I’ll be watching them for sure.  I’ll be cheering for them,” Walker said.
But for this one night, these girls say it’s “game on.”
“I think we’ll be good competition,” she said.