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Force take two from the Netherlands

June 1, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


Allentown, Pa.- The Philadelphia Force won their fourth straight game to start the season after beating the Netherlands National Team by a score of 5-3 on Sunday evening. The Force had won a suspended game earlier on Sunday by the score of 5-4.

In the originally scheduled game, Amy Harre (2-0) went the distance for the Force and scattered six hits. The right-hander struck out nine batters in the game.

For the fourth game in a row, short stop Chelsea Spencer started the bottom of the first inning by reaching base, this time by the way of a double down the left field line. Next batter, Sharonda McDonald, singled back to the pitcher, who tried to get the speedy center fielder at first but her throw sailed down the right field line and allowed Spencer to score and McDonald ended up at second base. A bloop singled by right field Trena Peel moved McDonald to third. Then first baseman Jenna Hall laid down her second successful suicide squeeze of the season to plate McDonald. Peel would also score on the play as the pitcher threw the ball down the right field line in her attempt to get Hall. Designated player Kellie Wilkerson continued the rally with a bunt single and the catcher threw the ball away to allow Hall to score on the Netherlands' third throwing error of the inning.

The Force (4-0) added to their lead in the second inning. Catcher Tory Yamaguchi drew a lead-off walk. She advanced to second on the first professional hit of her career of left fielder Michelle Tatlock. After a sacrifice bunt by Spencer, McDonald knocked in the fifth Force run.

In front of the 371 fans, the Netherlands made an attempt at a comeback in the sixth inning. A single, a hit by pitch, and two walks pushed in one run. The Netherlands would get two more off a throwing error by the Force third baseman.

In the game, the Force pounded Netherlands pitching for nine hits. Judith Van Kampen took the loss for the Dutch.

In the game completed from Saturday, the Force were walk-off winners on a bomb by Peel. It was Peel's second blast of the series. The two teams played five innings Saturday night before the rain and lightning hit with the scored tied at four a piece.

In that game, Wilkerson tied the scored with two outs in the fifth inning with a two-run shot to right center, her second home run of the season.

The Force hit Netherlands pitching for 12 hits in that game. Kristi de Vries, an American with dual citizenship, was credited with the loss.

The Force are now off until Wednesday night when they welcome their rivals, the New England Riptide for a four-game set. Game one is set for 7:05 p.m. at ECTB Stadium.



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