University of Vermont softball player Megan Long (Swansea, Mass.) has been invited to tryout for Team Ireland, the country’s national softball team. Currently, Ireland only has slow-pitch softball. Irish-American softball players are being recruited across America to tryout for a fast-pitch team and introduce the game to the country. Long, a sophomore at UVM, is one of 60 players invited to the tryout which is scheduled for May 26-30 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Approximately 20 players will be selected to play for Team Ireland. Long became the first freshman in the history of the program to lead the Catamounts in hitting with a .260 average last season. She played first base, third base and was the team’s designated hitter while seeing time in 42 games. Long also led Vermont in hits (32), RBI (16) and home runs (2). Her 13 doubles ranked 18th among NCAA Division I leaders and were the second most in a single season at UVM. Long was named to the All-New England Division I First Team and the America East All-Conference Second Team last season. She was just one of two freshman to earn a spot on the All-New England First Team. “This is a great honor for Megan. She is a tremendously talented player and one of the best hitters in America East. We are very proud she will be representing the University of Vermont and are excited for her,” said head coach Pam Childs. Team Ireland has four events scheduled beginning in June 2003, including the European/Africa Championships, which is the qualifying tournament for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Only eight softball teams are invited to the Olympics. Long is the second UVM player invited to tryout for a national team. Senior pitcher Angie Totaro (Roseland, N.J.) spent a week this past summer in Florida trying out for the Greek National Team. Vermont opens the 2003 season on March 8 and 9 at Delaware and Fairleigh Dickinson, respectively. -Sports Info