Force Clipped by Riptide in 10 Innings

Published on July 28, 2007 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


Lowell, Ma.- The Philadelphia Force battled back from a 5-1 deficit to send the game into extra innings, but an RBI single by Lisa Iancin would give the New England Riptide a 7-6, 10-inning victory, and a split of the four-game series.

The Force (15-17) jumped out to a 1-0 lead off of Riptide starter Erica Beach. First baseman Kellie Wilkerson led off the second inning with her third home run of the season.

The Riptide (22-14) struck back in the third against starter Margo Pruis. A two-run double to left by Lisa Modglin and a bases loaded double by Iancin, who had four RBIs in the game, gave New England a 5-1 lead.

Despite being down by four, the Force did not call it quits. Successive walks to Wilkerson, Trena Peel, and Ashley Smith loaded the bases for the Force with nobody out in the sixth inning. This would mark the end of the night for Beach, who would be replaced by Danielle Henderson. Clare Burnum grounded into a fielder's choice to second base allowing Wilkerson to score her second run of the game. On the play, Riptide second basemen Carri Leto-Martin threw the ball away trying to complete the double play. The error enabled Peel to score as well, cutting the Riptide lead to just two runs.

In the top of the seventh, the Force would tie the game. Sharonda McDonald singled to start the rally. One out later, Jenna Hall reached base by means of an Iancin error. Hall was pinch ran for by Stacie Pestrak. Wilkerson, who was 2-for-2 with three walks and three RBIs, doubled home both runners to knot the score at five.

The Force took the lead in the top of the ninth inning. McDonald stroked her second hit of the game to lead off the frame. A Chelsea Spencer groundout would move McDonald to second base. After a Jenna Hall line out, McDonald moved to third on a wild pitch by Eileen Canney (8-4), who entered the game in the eighth. Wilkerson then drew her third walk of the game to put runners on first and third. Peel followed with a base hit to score McDonald and give the Force a one-run lead.

Leto-Martin and the Riptide matched the Force run in the bottom of the inning off of Kristina Thorson (9-4), who entered the game in the seventh inning. Leto-Martin would drive in Shanel Scott, who reached base on a walk.

Using the International Tie Breaker rule in the 10th, the Riptide would score the winning run. CJ Kelley sacrificed Modglin to third to begin the inning. Thorson then induced pinch hitter Tarrah Beyster to ground out to first base, holding the runner at third. But the next batter, Iancin, would knock in the game winner with an infield single.

For the Force, Jodie Cox entered the game in the third inning and was outstanding. She pitched four innings of scoreless ball and only allowed two hits.

Offensively the Force had eight hits. Joining Wilkerson and McDonald with two hits each was Burnum. Peel was on base a total of four times during the four-hour contest with a single and three walks. Spencer had the other hit for Philadelphia.

On Wednesday the Force begin an important series with the Racers (18-10) in Akron. The Force return home on Monday August 6 to face Cat Osterman and the Rockford Thunder. For more information on the Force, please visit www.philadelphiaforce.com.

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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 28, 2007


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