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Force two blasts not enough down south

July 28, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


Chantilly, Va.- Jessica Moore hit a solo home run in the third inning that proved to be the winning run as the Washington Glory took a 4-2 decision over the visiting Philadelphia Force. With the loss, the Force dropped one game behind the Glory in the NPF standings. The two teams split the four-game series down south.

Things did not start off well for the Force (22-14). In the bottom of the first, LaDonia Hughes began the game for the Glory (23-13) with a single up the middle. Nicole Barber then followed with a bunt that she beat out for a base hit. Starter Katie Burkhart, who made her third appearance of the four-game series, retired power-hitter Oli Keohohou, but Amber Jackson put the Glory up two runs on a double to center field pass a diving Sharonda McDonald.

In the third inning, the Glory's number nine batter, Moore, whacked her third home run of the season, a solo shot to right center field, to put the defending champions up 3-nil.

Held to just one hit, an infield hit by Kellie Wilkerson, through four innings, the Force did not quit. To begin the fifth, Trena Peel lined a Desiree Serrano pitch over the center field fence for her team-high seventh home run of the season. Two outs later, Emily Friedman flied a ball to deep center field that Hughes got a glove on but could not hang on to it as the ball fell over the fence for Friedman's second home run of the season and cut the Glory lead to just one run.

But the Glory would add an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Hughes reached with her second base hit of the game. With Barber at the dish, catcher Kristen Miller attempted to pick off Hughes at first, but the Force infielders had a mix up on who was to cover the bag and the ball sailed down the right field line. By the time Peel tracked down the ball, Hughes had raced all the way to third base. Barber continued her at-bat and lined a ball to McDonald in center field that was deep enough to score Hughes.

Serrano (9-5) picked up the complete game win. She allowed six hits and struck out batters.

Burkhart (9-4) pitched all six innings for the Force. She yielded seven hits to six different batters. The rookie struck out eight batters which brought her season total to 115. This is good for tops in the NPF at the moment.

At the plate, Peel was 2-for-2 with the home run to lead the Force.

After playing seven games in the last six days, the Force finally have a day off on Tuesday. The Glory and the Force renew their intense rivalry at ECTB Stadium on Wednesday nigh at 7:05 p.m. in what is game one of a four-game series. On Wednesday, the Force will be holding another College Night. Students who bring their college ID will receive a VIP ticket and a food and beverage coupon for only $15. The first 300 fans at the park that day will also receive a Majestic NPF replica t-shirt. In connection with the Racing to Read theme, fans who bring a book to the game will receive a free upgrade to lower level VIP from their purchased general admission ticket. The Player Passion will be Trena Peel.

Also for all home games, fans that bring a gas receipt of $10 or more purchased the day of the game will receive a free upgrade to Club VIP from the originally purchased general admission ticket. The Force have announced their newest promotion which allows any fan that returns with a ticket stub from a previous 2008 game will receive $5 off their ticket (this promotion cannot be combined with any other discounted ticket promotion).



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 28, 2008


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