Hyland Helps Mexico Women's National Team Qualify for 2020 Olympics
8/31/2019 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SURREY, B.C. – Righthander Sierra Hyland will have the opportunity to become the first former Cal Poly softball player to appear in the Olympics after her Mexico Women's National Team defeated host Canada Saturday afternoon in the Softball Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament championship game, 2-1.
"This summer has been a very humbling experience. Our team has worked so hard for this moment and now we've made it (to the Olympics)," Hyland said. "We're ready to show the world what we're made of next summer."
With the victory, Mexico cemented one of six berths in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games alongside host Japan, the United States (2018 Softball World Championship winner) and Italy (Africa/Europe Olympic Qualifying champion). Canada will face Brazil on Sunday for the second berth from the Softball Americas tournament. The final spot in the field will go to the champion of the Asia/Oceania Qualifying Tournament, scheduled for Sept. 24-29 in Shanghai.
As a sport, softball will make its return to the Olympics schedule in Tokyo following a 12-year absence.
Hyland, a 2017 NFCA All-America selection and the Big West Conference's all-time strikeout leader (965), tossed the final one-third of an inning to earn the save during Mexico's 2-0 semifinal victory versus Puerto Rico on Friday. She did not feature in Saturday's final versus Canada.
A volunteer assistant with the Cal Poly coaching staff for the past two seasons, Hyland was the No. 4 selection in the 2017 National Pro Fastpitch Draft by the Chicago Bandits before signing with the Cleveland Comets for 2019.
A two-time Big West Pitcher of the Year selection (2014, 2017) and the only four-time NFCA All-Region honoree in program history, Hyland departed Cal Poly as the all-time leader for victories (82), appearances (161), innings pitched (942.2), shutouts (38), complete games (104) and starts (122). Her 1.56 career ERA ranks second in program history.
