2007 NPF Championship Rematch Scheduled to Begin Wednesday
June 3, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
By Aaron M. Moore
After winning the opening series from in-state rival, Chicago last weekend, the Thunder will now welcome the 2007 NPF Champion Washington Glory into town. The Glory, who won the championship in its first season in the NPF, also was 3-1 after the opening weekend.
While both teams are 3-1, it seems as though each team took a slightly different path to reach that mark. Rockford used the solid pitching of second-year pro Cassidy Scoggins and rookie Megan Brown to hold the Bandits to just two runs in the three wins. Washington, who led the league in virtually every offensive category in 2007, continued to swing bats in 2008 as they clubbed nine home runs in the four games with the New England Riptide.
This weekend will present a challenge for both clubs, as each will be without key players for the first three games of the series. Rockford will be without starters Kristen Zaleski (CF), Tonya Callahan (1B) and Savannah Brown (C), while Washington will be without pitcher Desiree Serrano and everyday shortstop Amber Jackson. The players will be in Oklahoma City with other members of National Pro Fastpitch to compete against Team USA on Friday night.
Washington won the regular season series with Rockford 2-6 last season, but the Thunder did manage a split at home over four games. The Glory also knocked off the Thunder twice in the 2007 NPF Playoffs.
Opening Pitching Match-up ROC: RHP Cassidy Scoggins (2-0, 1.00 ERA) Cassidy Scoggins continues to remain unbeaten on her professional career, as she improved to 6-0 all-time by picking up two wins over Chicago to start the season. Scoggins allowed just two runs over 14 innings of work and used the defense behind her to get out of any trouble she was in. She held the Bandits to a .196 batting average, surrendering just nine hits in 46 at-bats.
WASH: RHP Sarah Pauly (2-0, 0.50 ERA) Sarah Pauly will most likely be the workhorse in the circle with veteran pitcher Desiree Serrano missing the first three games of the series. Like Scoggins, Pauly recorded two wins during the opening weekend of the season and is tied atop the league in that category. In 2007, Pauly surrendered both of the Glory's losses to the Thunder and had a 2.62 ERA against Rockford.
Players to watch
For the Thunder, the player to watch is rookie utility player Shanna Diller. Diller got her professional career off to a great start by driving a home run to left field in her first big league at-bat. She has had just five plate appearances on the season, but has reached base twice, including the big two-run home run.
For Washington, the player to watch is Sara Larquier. Larquier was pivotal to the Glory's success in 2007 and looks poised to lead again in 2008. She has just three hits in 12 at-bats this season, but two have left the yard and she has driven in four runs to lead the team.
Tickets Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Thunder at (815) 965-7000 or by visiting www.etix.com. Ticket prices start at just $4/person.
Series promotions
- Wednesday, June 4, 2008 is the first $5 Wednesday with the Thunder of the season. All bleacher tickets bought at the box office are just $5/each. - Thursday, June 5, 2008 is the first Ladies' Night of 2008. All ladies entering the gates at SportsCore One will receive a coupon valid for an upcoming game that is selected by the Thunder. Thursday night is also High School Softball Night with the Thunder and ALL high school softball players wearing a team t-shirt will be admitted for just $5.
- Saturday, June 7, 2008 is the Thunder/Raptors Pig Roast for all season ticket holders and sponsors. The pig roast will be held at Sportscore One in the grass area next to the Thunder parking lot. All fans attending the Thunder game will also receive a voucher to attend the Raptors game, which is scheduled to begin at 5:35 p.m.
Up next (Pitching Probables) - Thursday: Thunder (Megan Brown, 1-0, 0.78) vs. Glory (Lisa Ferguson, 0-0, 0.00), 6:35 p.m. CDT - Friday: Thunder (Allison Kime, 0-1, 5.60) vs. Glory (Sarah Pauly, 2-0, 0.50), 6:35 p.m. CDT - Saturday: Thunder (Cassidy Scoggins, 2-0, 1.00) vs. Glory (Desiree Serrano, 1-1, 2.80), 5:35 p.m. CDT
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