Larabee in Venezuela for Pan American Qualifier

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Razorback softball coach Mike Larabee is in Maracay, Venezuela, with the 2009 USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team. Play began July 31 and will run through Aug. 9 at the 21-team qualifying event. The team is playing for a spot in the 2011 Pan American Games held Oct.13-30, 2011, in Guadalajara, Mexico.Larabee is one of three assistant coaches on the all-Southeastern Conference staff leading the qualifying team. He is joined by Alabama head coach Pat Murphy and Mississippi State assistant coach Karen Johns. The Pan American Qualifier Team is under the direction of Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller.The United States is 5-0 through the first four days of the tournament with games scheduled Tuesday against El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. The American squad has not allowed a run thus far, outscoring its opponents, 70-0, in wins against Antilles, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. Group “A” also includes teams from Belize and Cuba. Pool play concludes Thursday and elimination rounds will be played Aug. 7-9.Larabee is a two-time member of the USA Women’s National Team Coaching Pool. He was selected to the staff for both the 2005-08 and 2009-12 Olympic Quadrenniums. In past duties with the National Team, Larabee has served on the selection camp committee and coaching staff at the 2006 World University Games in Taiwan.Follow the progress of the United States softball team at the Pan American Qualifier at www.usasoftball.com and for continued coverage of Razorback softball, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.