SALEM, Va. – The Salem Parks and Recreation Department announced Monday the initial roster for its Salem All-Stars softball team, a squad that will take on the US Olympic Team on Wednesday, July 24 at Salem Kiwanis Field. The team is made up of local and regional athletes who have ties to the area that will take on the three-time Olympic gold medal winners as part of the “Bound 4 Beijing” Tour. First pitch is slated for just after 7 o’clock.

This marks the third appearance for USA Softball in Salem, appearing in both 2001 and 2004.

The initial roster features 13 athletes who represent eight different colleges. The pitching staff will be anchored by Danville native and three-time Big South Pitcher of the Year Ashley Taylor, who recently completed her career at Radford University. She went 29-10 this year with a 1.25 ERA, earning all-region honors. She will be joined by fellow Highlanders Hope Creasy (Christiansburg) and Jennifer Everhart (Purcellville), both of who were first-team All-Big South selections this year.

Virginia Tech will have four players on the roster, including All-ACC designated player Jenna Rhodes (Broadway). Jessica Everhart (Purcellville), along with sisters Beth and Amber Walker (Galax), will also suit up for the squad.

Despite every effort, All-American Angela Tincher of Virginia Tech and Eagle Rock will be unable to play for the team.

“I wasn’t able to make a decision on my availability for this game until I got all of my Akron arrangements taken care of,” Tincher said. “Unfortunately, due to team obligations and a series at Rockford, I will be unable to join the Salem roster. Playing in front of friends, family and fans would have been great, and I wish them the best of luck, but we just couldn’t get it worked out.”

Other players on the roster with local ties will be: Jenny Clohan of James Madison University, who is from Ashburn; Mary Greenway of UNC Greensboro who is from Roanoke and was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection this year; Kelly Haller of the University of Virginia who is from Leesburg; Andrea McIntyre of Appalachian State University who is from Christiansburg; Emily Neiman of West Virginia Wesleyan, who was an all-region selection this year; and Carri Wooldridge of Winthrop University, who is from Bedford and was an all-region selection this year. While this list is official, additions to the team could still be made prior to the event.

Scot Thomas of Virginia Tech, who led his Hokies to the 2008 Women’s College World Series, will direct the team. Al Brauns of Virginia Tech and Steve Warner of West Virginia Wesleyan will assist Thomas.

Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster or logging onto its Web site. Fans can also call the Salem Civic Center Box Office at 540-375-3004. Limited seating remains for the event. Gates will open at 5 o’clock for both teams’ infield practice. For more information, log onto www.salemva.gov and go to the Parks and Recreation link on the left side.