Chelsea Thomas: the Pride of Pleasantville
August 11, 2014 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
USSSA Pride News Release
Akron, OH-August 10, 2014-It was a hot Sunday afternoon at Firestone Stadium, as the USSSA Florida Pride and Akron Racers took the field for their final game of the series.
The Pride jumped to an early lead, when Caitlin Lowe doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch from Racers starter Lisa Norris. Kelly Kretschman then reached on an error by Charlotte Morgan that allowed Lowe to score.
In the second inning, the Pride put up five more runs. After Norris walked GiOnna DiSalvatore, Kristyn Sandberg, Natasha Watley, Lowe, Kretschman and Andrea Duran all singled, producing five more runs for the Pride. That would end Norris' day, having thrown 1.2 innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits, walking one. Rachele Fico entered the game and got Amanda Kamekona to fly out to left to end the inning.
The Racers responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run off the bat of Taylor Schlopy.
The Pride extended their lead in the 4th inning after Brejae Washington reached base on an error by catcher Jessica Garcia. Watley then reached on a fielder's choice, as the Racers got Washington out at second. A fielding error by Nerissa Myers allowed Lowe to reach base, as Watley moved into scoring position. Kretschman's single then plated Watley and allowed Kretschman to advance to second on the throw home. Duran followed suit and singled to center to drive in Kretschman. The Racers answered with a relief pitcher, bringing in Lannah Campbell to finish the inning, as she got Kamekona to line out to center field.
Fico threw 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Campbell would complete the game for the Racers, throwing the final 3.2 innings and allowing no runs on three hits, walking one and striking out one.
The Racers would add a run in the bottom of the 7th, when Olivia Watkins singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ayumi Karino grounded out and moved Watkins to third before Haley Outon reached on an error by Keilani Ricketts that allowed Watkins to score. The Racers comeback would fall short though, as they didn't add another run, and fell to the Pride 8-2.
Keilani Ricketts (5-6) got the complete game victory as she gave up two earned runs on five hits while striking out six. Duran finished the day going 3-4 with 3 RBIs and Kretschman finished 2-3 with 3 RBIs. Lowe's 1-4 performance extended her hit streak to 19 games.
The Pride will host the PA Rebellion Thursday through Saturday at Osceola County Stadium for their final regular season series in 2014. They will then head to Hoover, Alabama for the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series. For tickets visit our website www.usssapride.com.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 11, 2014
- Homers Lift Bandits to 9-0 Victory - Pennsylvania Rebellion
- Chelsea Thomas: the Pride of Pleasantville - USSSA Pride
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