Things played out as expected last night in an informal softball exhibition between the U.S. national team and a collection of local players at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Team USA displayed its arms, fleet feet and power in a 15-0 victory over a team of mostly collegiate players.

Monica Abbott, Alicia Hollowell and Jamie Southern each pitched three innings and combined for 17 strikeouts.

The game lasted nine innings because Team USA is preparing for the World Championships in Beijing, Aug. 27 to Sept. 5.

The only hit for the Hawai'i All-Stars was an opposite-field double to right by Gail Matsushima in the second. Only one other runner reached scoring position for the Hawai'i All-Stars.

Team USA had 12 hits off starter Jessica Morton in three innings with only three reaching the outfield. Morton allowed seven runs.

Natasha Watley blasted a three-run homer to right in the third, Crystl Bustos belted a two-run shot to center in the sixth and Jennie Finch hit a two-run homer to right in a six-run eighth.

Watley, normally a slap hitter, has been trying to show more power.

"It happens every now and then," said Watley, who finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored. "That's something I've been working on to try and add to my game. Trying to hit away more and open up my offense a little bit more."

Bustos, who finished with five RBIs, appears fully recovered from nagging calf and back injuries.

"I'm just trying to get in the groove of things. I've been injured for the last month almost," she said.

She homered off Hawai'i Pacific University's Courtney Kessell after a lead-off single by Jessica Mendoza.

"I was trying to keep my front side in because I've been flaring out," Bustos said. "Obviously, on a change-up you want to stay closed as long as possible. It just so happened she threw a change-up when I was working on things."

Perhaps her most rewarding accomplishment last night was legging out a double to right in the eighth inning, when Team USA sent 11 batters to the plate.

"This is actually the first time I got to sprint," Bustos said. "We've been progressing every day, doing a little more."

Finch, who had a baby boy May 4, didn't start the game, but homered and doubled in the eighth. She batted out of order in the inning to get in an extra at-bat.

"It's awesome," said Finch, whose husband is Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Casey Daigle. "It's great to be a part of this team. It's good to be back on the field competing."

The most impressive pitcher for Team USA was Southern, who struck out the first six batters she faced.

"Today was a day for me to work on specific things," she said. "This is a time for all of us to build for the Worlds."

Kessell was the Hawai'i All-Stars' most effective pitcher. She pitched a perfect fourth inning and allowed only an infield single in the fifth.

"It's like the best team in the world," she said. "Obviously I was nervous; overall I was happy with my performance."

The Hawai'i All-Stars found out they were playing Team USA a couple of weeks ago and held two practices, according to Kessell.

"Even when I found out I was like, 'We're not playing them, yeah right,' " she said.

The teams will play again tomorrow at 7 p.m. Team USA will leave for Beijing on Saturday.

"We're just waiting to get there and we're preparing every day trying to get ready," Finch said. "Hopefully we can keep the tradition alive with USA softball."

TEAM USA 214 002 060—15 24 1

HAWAI'I ALL-STARS 000 000 000— 0 1 3

Monica Abbott, Alicia Hollowell (4), Jamie Southern (7), and Stacey Nuveman. Jessica Morton, Courtney Kessell (4), Leo Sing-Chow (7) and Kaulana Gould.

Leading hitters: USA—Caitlyn Lowe 4-5, double, 3 runs; Natasha Watley 3-5, homer, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Jessica Mendoza 2-5; Crystl Bustos 4-5, double, homer, 2 runs, 5 RBIs; Jenny Topping double; Andrea Duran 3-4, double, 2 runs; Laura Berg 2-3; Jennie Finch 2-2, double, 2-run homer. HAS—Gail Matsushima double.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.