Listen to playoff games on Pro Sports Radio

August 25, 2004 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release


Texas Thunder finished 41-17 in regular season play to earn the first place seed in the first ever NPF Playoff Series and "Cowles Cup" Championship taking place at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio August 25-29, 2004. Going into the playoffs the Thunder have the best pitching staff in the league, with four starters ranking the top five in earned run average lead by Christa Williams (0.64) while Clare Burnum leads the offense (five homeruns, 21 RBI and 15 stolen bases). Three Texas Thunder players received awards last night at a dinner kicking off the playoff series. Christa Williams (UT) was named the "NPF Pitcher of the Year" after finishing the season with 14 wins and an astounding 0.64 ERA. Thunder second baseman Lindsay Gardner (UT) was named the "NPF Defensive Player of the Year" and Head Coach Wayne Daigle and Assistant Coaches Lisa Daigle and Javier Vela were all named the "NPF Coaching Staff of the Year" after leading Thunder to a first place regular season finish.

Thunder fans can listen to the playoff games thanks to Pro Sports Radio who will continue it's coverage of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) by broadcasting live via the internet each 2004 NPF playoff game beginning Wednesday night at 6 p.m. EDT.

Aaron Moore will handle the play-by-play duties for a majority of the broadcasts, while Bob Eres and Brian Baltosiewich will handle the color commentary and in-game interviews. Fans can listen to the games by visiting the NPF page at Pro Sports Radio (www.npf.prosportsradio.com) and then by clicking on the 2004 Championship logo. The logo will take fans directly to the broadcast.

Wednesday's first game will feature the #2 and #3 seeds from the regular season. The Akron Racers and NY/NJ Juggernaut finished the season tied 39-21, but because Akron won the season series with NY/NJ, the Racers will be the #2 seed.

Amanda Scott is expected to toe the rubber for the Nauts in game one of the series, and she will most likely be opposed by the Racers' Brandee McArthur. Official game starters have not been announced at time of release.

The second game on Wednesday night will begin about 20 minutes following the conclusion of game one, and will feature the regular season champion Texas Thunder and the fourth place New England Riptide. The Thunder won the regular season crown while the Riptide concluded the year at 25-35. Texas won the regular season series from New England by winning eight of the 12 games played.

Most likely taking the mound for the Thunder in game #1 will be 1996 and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Christa Williams. Look for New England to send their ace, and league regular season strikeout leader Jocelyn Forest to the mound.

The two semifinal series will continue on Thursday night from Akron, with action set to again begin at 6 p.m. EDT. Game three of the series, if necessary, will take place on Friday night from Firestone Stadium. The best-of-three Championship Series is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EDT.

NPF fans currently have the opportunity to listen to interviews with players, coaches and front office personnel by clicking on the Pro Sports Radio link on the NPF website. The direct link to the NPF page of Pro Sports Radio is www.npf.prosportsradio.com.

Pro Sports Radio, member of the National Association of Broadcasters, produces weekly radio shows such as "Puck Stop", "Football Report", "Basketball Dunk", "Giant Steps" and "Let's Talk Baseball". It also provides timeless short form features of famous athletes and provides live game updates to radio stations and other media outlets across North America.

NPF, the world's premier professional fastpitch softball league for women, consists of six teams located throughout the United States and features former USA Softball Women's National Team members, collegiate All-Americans and all-conference selections. NPF's 60-game regular-season schedule began on Tuesday, June 1 and concluded on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

National Pro Fastpitch is the only professional women's fastpitch league in the United States. The league is headquartered in Denver, and has been in operation since 1997 under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL).

Complete Broadcast Schedule
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Game #1 – #2 Akron Racers vs. #3 NY/NJ Juggernaut @ 6 p.m. EDT
Game #2 – #1 Texas Thunder vs. #4 New England Riptide @ 8p.m. EDT

Thursday, August 26, 2004
Game #3 – #2 Akron Racers vs. #3 NY/NJ Juggernaut @ 6p.m. EDT
Game #4 – #1 Texas Thunder vs. #4 New England Riptide @ 8p.m. EDT

Friday, August 27, 2004 (if necessary)
Game #5 – #2 Akron Racers vs. #3 NY/NJ Juggernaut @ 6p.m. EDT
Game #6 – #1 Texas Thunder vs. #4 New England Riptide @ 8p.m. EDT

Championship Series (Best-of-Three)
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Game #7 – No. 1/No. 4 series winners vs. No. 2/No. 3 series winner @ 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 29, 2004
Game #8 – No. 1/No. 4 series winners vs. No. 2/No. 3 series winner @ 4 p.m.
Game #9 – No. 1/No. 4 series winners vs. No. 2/No. 3 series winner @ 6p.m. (if necessary)



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 25, 2004


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