SOFTBALL: Shipman helps U.S. junior national team win gold

In a game that ended around 3:15 a.m. Sunday in Bogota, Colombia, the U.S. junior national softball team -- featuring Valencia graduate Madison Shipman -- defeated Canada 3-1 to capture the gold medal at the 18-under Pan American Championships.

Because of rain delays throughout the day in Colombia, the start of the Americans' 6-1 semifinal victory over Puerto Rico, as well as Canada's 2-1, eight-inning win over Puerto Rico in the bronze medal game, were considerably pushed back from their originally scheduled start times.

The championship game started after midnight in Colombia. It marked the 27th consecutive victory and third straight gold medal for the U.S. in 18-under Pan Am competition. The Americans (9-0) defeated host Puerto Rico 7-0 in the 2006 final and knocked off Canada 2-0 in the 2002 title game in Mexico.

Shipman went 1 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base against Canada, finishing the tournament 8 for 19 with eight runs, seven RBIs and nine stolen bases. In the semifinal victory over Puerto Rico, the Tennessee-bound Shipman -- who started all nine games -- went 1 for 3 with a stolen base.

Along with the Americans, Canada and Puerto Rico, Argentina and Brazil also qualified for the 19-under International Softball Federation World Championships in Dec. 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa.