Abbott to pitch game one for Pride; Osterman game two
June 16, 2009 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
June 16, 2009 - ROCKFORD - The Thunder returns home on Wednesday night to begin a five-game series with the Pride after taking three of five from the Akron Racers last week.
Rockford dropped the first game of the series to the Racers behind a outstanding pitching effort from Lisa Norris who threw a perfect game.
The Thunder rebounded to win game two of the series on Friday night and then games four and five. In Saturday's game four of the series Cat Osterman threw a no-hitter of her own for the Thunder leading them to the win.
The big hitters of last week's series for Rockford were Shanna Diller, Laurie Wagner and Chelsea Spencer. Diller led the way with a .429 batting average, followed by Wagner at .417 and Spencer at .333. Diller also led team over the last five games with five runs batted in.
Game one of the five-game Thunder series is scheduled for Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Thunder Park at Roscoe (5444 Swanson Road). In game one of the series the Pride will send Olympic pitcher Monica Abbott to the circle where she will most likely face Allison Kime. In the second game of the series on Thursday night the Thunder will send Osterman to the circle with her 4-0 record.
Also, before the Thunder games on Wednesday and Thursday night local high school athletes will compete in the first-ever Northern Illinois High School Classics presented by the local State Farm Agents.
Game Schedule Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 4:30 p.m. (NUIC East All-Stars vs. NUIC West All-Stars) Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 4:30 p.m. (NIC-10 All-Stars vs. Big Northern All-Stars) Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2009 - 6:05 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2009 - 3:05 p.m.
Weekly Promotional Schedule June 16 - 2nd Cousins Appearance June 17 - "The Perfect Storm" Poster Giveaway June 19 - 1/2 draft beers and postgame party at RBI's Bar and Grill (3870 N. Perryville) June 20 - Clinic #2 of 4 for the season (11-1 p.m. at Thunder Park) June 21 - Culver's Kids Day at Roscoe Culver's
Players to watch The 2008 Olympic Team trio of Abbott, Kelly Kretschman and Caitlin Lowe provide plenty of reason to take notice in the league and the Thunder must figure out a way to hit Abbott in game one to take control of the series. In addition to hitting Abbott, Rockford must find a way to control the bats of Kretschman and Lowe. Lowe struggled in her first two games of the season going 2-for-8, but she has the ability with her speed to collect 2-3 hits a game. Kretschman came right of the gates swinging for the Pride which is evident by her .600 batting average (9-for-15) and her 1.133 slugging percentage.
For the Thunder the player to watch this week will be Osterman in the circle and Jenae Leles at the plate. Osterman has a history with several of the Pride hitters and looks to continue her impressive 4-0 start and maintain her league-best 0.27 ERA. During her rookie season with the Thunder, three of Osterman's six losses came against the Pride (formerly the Washington Glory). Offensively the Thunder will look to Jenae Leles to help raise the team's power numbers. Leles, who missed the first seven games of the season, to finish school and participate in the Team USA tryouts will be a key member to the Thunder's success on offense in 2009.
Tickets Tickets for all five games and the high school all-star games can be purchased by calling the Thunder at (815) 965-7000. They can also be purchased directly from the box office on the day of the game. Ticket prices start at just $5/each for the all-star games and $7/each for the Thunder games.
For more information on the Thunder contact the Thunder at (815) 965-7000. For additional information on the team visit them on the web at www.thunderprofastpitch.com.
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- Abbott to pitch game one for Pride; Osterman game two - Rockford Thunder
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