The win, and his team, no doubt lifted Mike Candrea's spirits.
Somewhere, Sue Candrea is smiling. Although U.S. softball gave up its first run of the Games, the Americans capped a dominating Olympic performance Monday with a 5-1 win over Australia for their third straight gold. The women, who outscored the field 51-1, dedicated the win to Candrea, their coach's late wife who died a month ago.
Hopeful future | Caple: Fantastic four | Real Dream Team?
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More from ESPN.com |
| One step ahead Why is the softball team the true Dream Team? Because coach Mike Candrea pushes them to perfection. |
| The great divide Forget about the Mendoza Line -- opponents batted less than .100 against the U.S. in women's softball. |
| First perfect softball game in books Yukiko Ueno pitched the first perfect game in Olympic softball history, leading Japan to a 2-0 win over China on Friday and a spot in the tournament semifinals. |
| U.S. softball tops Taiwan, reaches semifinals Cat Osterman struck out 10 in six innings, Crystl Bustos homered and the Americans completed a perfect run through the preliminary round with a 3-0 win over Taiwan on Friday, setting up a United States-Australia showdown in the semifinals. |
| Fernandez, U.S. softball squad rout Aussies Lisa Fernandez and the U.S. softball team showed no mercy -- again. |
| U.S. softball posts sixth shutout to top Greece Lisa Fernandez pitched a one-hitter as Team USA made it six shutouts in six games with a shortened 7-0 victory Thursday over Greece. |
| U.S. softball posts fourth straight shutout Lori Harrigan allowed only a first-inning bunt single and Crystl Bustos homered Tuesday as the Americans posted their fourth straight shutout of these games, 4-0 over China. |
| Finch drops one-hitter on Canada in 7-0 U.S. win Jennie Finch pitched a one-hitter with eight strikeouts and Lisa Fernandez went 3-for-4 with a homer as the Americans posted their fifth straight shutout, beating Canada 7-0. |
| U.S. softball tops Japan 3-0 in extra inning After a 0-0 tie forced an extra inning, U.S. softball squeezed out three runs to improve to 3-0 at the Games. |
| U.S. softball needs five innings to shut out Italy Jennie Finch didn't allow a hit in three innings as the United States topped Italy 7-0 in in its tournament opener. |
| Work in progress Barely a month after his wife's death, U.S. softball coach Mike Candrea is back on the job. |
| More Features |
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ESPN.COM'S 2004 SUMMER OLYMPICS: Complete coverage from Athens.
ESPN.COM'S 2002 WINTER OLYMPICS: Look back at the best Winter Games performance by the United States.
ESPN.COM'S 2000 SUMMER OLYMPICS: From the opening ceremonies to the final gold medal.
ESPN.COM'S 2002 WINTER OLYMPICS: Look back at the best Winter Games performance by the United States.
ESPN.COM'S 2000 SUMMER OLYMPICS: From the opening ceremonies to the final gold medal.