OKLAHOMA CITY - A pair of former Missouri softball players will help the United States take on the world.
Nicole Hudson and Rhea Taylor, along with the rest of the USA Softball Women's National Team, begin play in the World Cup of Softball at 7 p.m. today against Canada (ESPN-TV). The tournament runs until Sunday.
Hudson just completed her Missouri career, finishing in the top 10 in school history for hits, doubles, home runs, runs scored, RBI and walks. Her 143 bases on balls rank first in school history, while her 46 home runs sit just one behind the Missouri record. Hudson had a superb 2013 campaign by hitting .308 with 16 homers, 45 RBI and a .692 slugging percentage.
Taylor was a three-time All-American for Missouri in 2008, 2010 and 2011. She's been a member of Team USA since 2011, with this being her third World Cup of Softball roster appearance.