Force Put a Rip in the \'Tide

Published on July 27, 2007 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


July 27, 2007- Lowell, Ma. - Shortstop Chelsea Spencer was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Kristina Thorson picked up her ninth win of the season in a 3-1 victory by the Philadelphia Force over the New England Riptide Friday night. The two teams had split the previous two games in the four-game series.

The Riptide (21-14) opened the scoring in the first inning. Shanel Scott reached base on a one-out error and promptly stole her league-leading 27th base of the season. She later scored on a RBI single by Lyndsey Angus.

The Force answered back in the top of the second inning off of Jocelyn Forest (2-5). With Trena Peel on third base and Rocky Spencer on first, both with singles, Clare Burnum lifted a fly ball to center field that was muffed by Gina Carbonatto, but she quickly recovered to get R. Spencer, who had to hold up on the fly ball, at second base for the fielder's choice. Peel would score on the play to give Burnum the RBI.

In the third, the Force (15-16) would take the lead for good. Sharonda McDonald and C. Spencer hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and third with nobody out. Eileen Canney replaced Forest at this point. The Force then attempted a double steal, but McDonald was out after the throw to second was cut off in the infield and returned home in time to get McDonald in a rundown. Forest would record two strikeouts in the inning, but not before uncorking two wild pitches to plate C. Spencer and give the Force a 3-1 lead.

The Force would add an insurance run in the fifth. C. Spencer added her second single of the game with one out. Jenna Hall followed by hitting a long single off of the left field wall, and the hustling Spencer scored all the way from first to score the third Force run.

The Riptide did threaten in the fourth inning. After a double by Lisa Modglin, who had two of the Riptide hits, and a pair of pinch-hit walks, Thorson struck out Carbonatto to end the danger.

Thorson (9-3) pitched all seven innings and struck out two in her seventh complete game of the season, and second in two nights. The one run she allowed was unearned. Her ERA lowered to 1.11, good for third in the NPF.

Overall the Force banged out eight hits against Riptide pitching. Kellie Wilkerson and Jaime Dacey also had base hits for the Force.

The Force and Riptide do battle one last time in Lowell on Saturday night. Game time for that one is set for 7:05 p.m. Next week, the Force travel to Akron, Ohio to face the Racers. On Monday, August 6, the Force return to Allentown and ECTB Stadium to face Cat Osterman and the Rockford Thunder in a two game set. Following the Thunder is the Michigan Ice for a four-game series running Wednesday through Friday, with Thursday being a day/night doubleheader.

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