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Burnum brings the noise for the Force

July 31, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


Allentown, Pa- Third baseman Clare Burnum hit a one-out, walk-off home run as the Philadelphia Force took game two of a four-game series with the Washington Glory by a score of 3-2. The bomb puts the Force just one game behind the Glory for first place in the NPF standings with 10 games remaining for both teams and two of them are against each other over the next two nights at ECTB Stadium.

The Glory showed their team power again in the first inning. Sara Larquier slammed her 11th home run of the season. It was deep blast to left field that cleared the big red chair over the outfield fence.

The Force (23-15) would score two runs in a bizarre fashion. Savannah Long began the inning with a single. She was successfully moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Kristen Miller. Emily Friedman popped for out number two. The first pitch to Burnum went for a ball. Burnum then lofted a can-of-corn to left field which was caught for the third out. But wait! Sarah Pauly was called for an illegal pitch which moved Long to third and reset the count to 1-0 on Burnum. The third baseman then drew the two-out walk. Sharonda McDonald continued the rally going by grounding up the middle to score Long and move Burnum to second base. Kellie Wilkerson followed with an infield single to load the bases. Pauly would force in the second run when she drilled Chelsea Spencer with a pitch to make the score 2-1.

With Burkhart pitching a one-hit gem, the Glory (24-14) tied the score in the top of the seventh inning. Oli Keohohou was nipped with a pitch to start the inning. Jessica Dignon was sent in to pinch run for the power hitter. Burkhart got Amber Jackson to line out to short after she was unable to lay down the bunt. Larquier reached went she, too, was nipped by a pitched ball. Catalina Morris fouled for the second out. But Courtney Bures singled through the hole on the left side to score Dignon with the tying run. A two-out walk to Callista Balko loaded the bases with Glory runners. Burkhart escaped the jam by getting Jessica Moore to hit a comebacker to the circle which she flipped to Miller at the plate for the inning-ending force out.

One out into the bottom of the seventh the game would be over on Burnum's heroics. The home run was number three on the season for her.

Burkhart (10-4) earned the win with her complete-game, two-hitter. She added seven more strikeouts to her league leading total. She is now up to 122 K's in 102.1 innings of work.

Pauly (10-5) pitched well in defeat. She scattered seven hits in 6.1 innings and struck out three.

Game three of this important series is Friday at 7:05 p.m. Friday, August 1 and it will be ECTB Night at the stadium. Softball players who wear their uniform shirt will receive a Diamond Dollar to be used for concessions. The first 300 fans at the stadium will receive a free Majestic NPF replica t-shirt. Majestic will also be donating an MLB jacket as a giveaway opportunity. Faust Capobianco, the Founder of Majestic will be honored as the Local Treasure prior to the start of the game. The Player Passion will be Emily Friedman as she helps celebrate ECTB Night

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