The softball was softer than usual - and Seneca Valley junior Julie Marlowe appreciated it.

Marlowe played third base for the Stripes, one of six North American teams competing in the European Cup Indoor Softball Tournament recently in The Netherlands, and was named MVP of the 20-team competition.

"We were playing against some older women from other countries," Marlowe said. "They were bigger and stronger than us - and they can hit.

"It doesn't hurt having a softer ball coming at you at the hot corner."

The playing surface also was softer, sporting a rubber base, and teams used only eight players in the field, as right field was small enough to be covered by the second baseman.

Marlowe and Seneca Valley teammate Alyson Intihar played for the Stripes. Rich LeViere, their summer coach with the Pittsburgh Spirit, recommended them for the team. LeViere coached another North American entrant in the tournament.

"They are great representatives of young athletes," LeViere said. "They're talented, coachable and they're good kids. I thought they would represent our nation well."

Marlowe played errorless ball at third base, picked two runners off third, and batted .412 in seven games.

The Stripes finished second in the tournament, winning five games and losing the title game, 9-0, to Terrasvogels of the host Netherlands.

"When my name was called for MVP, I was shocked," Marlowe said. "I never expected that. They gave me a bat bag for the award."

Despite the softer ball and the mound being moved back to 43 feet from the traditional 40 feet, Terrasvogels pitcher Judith van Kampen pitched a no-hitter and struck out 16 in the tournament title game.

Intihar didn't strike out at all last spring for Seneca Valley, but she fanned twice against van Kampen.

"She was unbelievable," Intihar said. "She throws a rising pitch that's the best I've ever seen."

Still, Intihar, who played shortstop, had an on-base percentage of .300 and led her team with four RBI.

"Seeing different players from different countries, it was fun," Intihar said. "Terrasvogels had seven players from their Olympic team on the roster. It was great competition for us."

Teams from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Italy and France competed.

"Most of the European teams were pretty much their national teams," LeViere said. "The women ranged in age from 20 to 40 on those squads."

Marlowe and Intihar have been playing summer softball for the Pittsburgh Spirit for six years. They won national championships as members of the program's 12-under and 14-under teams.

Last year's squad finished 68-15 and placed fifth in the national tournament.

Intihar batted .389 for the Spirit as its leadoff hitter and stole more than 100 bases. She scored 15 times on squeeze bunts by Marlowe, the team's No. 2 hitter.

Marlowe batted .422 for the Spirit.

With the international experience behind them, both girls have their eyes on reaching the WPIAL playoffs this spring.

"That's something we haven't done yet in our careers at Seneca Valley," Marlowe said. "I think it can happen."

Raiders softball coach George Trew said the experience can only help Marlowe and Intihar.

"It increases their confidence in their own ability," Trew said. "Seven games in January, winning five of them against competition like that? It can't hurt."