NPF This Week

June 16, 2004 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release

TEAM CAPSULES

Arizona Heat

Last Week: The Heat finished last week at 2-3 with a win coming at home against the Riptide and the other coming last night in Akron. Arizona's offense finally produced several runs; scoring six runs en route to the 6-0 win over the Racers. The Heat has been led offensively this season by former U of A star, Wendy Allen. Allen is hitting a team-best .320 on the season, and is the only Arizona hitter to be above .300. This Week: Arizona will continue their nine-game road trip, as they will travel to Texas (June 17-18) and Sacramento beginning on June 20. The Heat is currently 1-1 on the trip, both games played at Akron.

New England Riptide

Last Week: The Riptide went 3-3 last week, taking two-of-three from the Heat and one-of-three from the Texas Thunder in Houston. Pitchers Leigh Ann Ellis and Jocelyn Forest have pitched well for the Riptide, but have not received much help from the offense. Forest is tied for first in the league with 35 strikeouts this season; Ellis sits fifth with 27. Forest and Ellis also sit 1-2 in complete games this season with five apiece. This Week: New England will finally play their first home games this week, as they play hosts to the California Sunbirds at Martin Field in Lowell on June 16-18. The home-stand will be short for New England. After playing California, the Riptide will be back on the road to face the NY/NJ Juggernaut.

California Sunbirds

Last Week: The Sunbirds have dropped six games in a row, including eight of their last ten. California dropped the first five games of their current road trip and has been shutout in four consecutive games. As a team, the Riptide has managed to score only one run during the trip. This Week: California will finish their East Coast swing when they travel to New England to take on the Riptide. After New England the Sunbirds will return home to play the Arizona Hear. California is 3-3 at home this season.

Texas Thunder

Last Week: The Thunder went 5-1 last week, including a three-game series sweep of the NY/NJ Juggernaut. Pitchers Christa Williams and Peaches James continued their early season dominance, as each pitcher kept their records spotless. Williams upped her mark to 4- 0, as she tossed 14 innings allowing two earned runs and striking out 14. Clare Burnum led the offense for the Thunder hitting .333 during the week, with three homeruns and three gamewinning hits. This Week: Texas will play host to the Arizona Heat on June 17-18. Texas will travel to Akron to take on the Racers (6/20-22). Texas took two-of-three games from Akron to start the season.

NY/NJ Juggernaut

Last Week: The Juggernaut had an up-anddown week, as they went 3-3. Although as a team NY/NJ struggled, the team offense did not. The Juggernaut currently sit one (Wilkerson, .412); two (Leto, .386); and three (Pasquerella, .351) in batting average in the league. Juggernaut hitters also sit 1-4 in hits, with Leto's 17 leading the way. The Juggernaut enters week three of league play winners of their last three games, all by way of the shutout. This Week: NY/NJ play host to the Akron Racers at Montclair State on June 16-18. The Riptide will visit the Juggernaut (6/20-22) in a three-game series, with Sunday's game featured on the YES Network.

Akron Racers

Last Week: Due to inclement weather in Akron, the Racers only managed to get four games in last week. Akron went 3-1 on the week, and improved to third in the league standings. Brandee McArthur improved her season record to 3-1 by picking up wins over the Arizona Heat (4-3) and California Sunbirds (7-1). This Week: Akron faces a tough stretch this week, facing #2 NY/NJ and then #1 Texas.

NPF Player of the Week

Kellie Wilkerson

NY/NJ Juggernaut

First Base

Duluth, GA – Mississippi State

Wilkerson finished last week 6-for-14 (.428 BA) with one double, two runs batted in and two runs scored in helping the Juggernaut to a 3-3 record (8-4 overall). Wilkerson currently leads the league in batting average at .412, and is second in hits with 14 and third in RBI's with eight. Wilkerson leads the team in runs scored (7), 2B (3), 3B (1), total bases (22), slugging percentage (.647), BB (9) and on-base percentage (.533). Entering Wednesday night's game, Wilkerson has hit safely in four straight games.

Notables

Clare Burnum (TEX), IF, 3 HR

Brandee McArthur (AKR), P, 2 GS, 2-0

National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 16, 2004

• Collins, Iancin Pull Out Late Inning Victory For 'Nauts - New York/New Jersey Juggernaut
• NPF This Week - NPF

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