NPF This Week
Published on June 30, 2004 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release
Arizona Heat
Last Week: Arizona dropped 4-of-6 contests last week, as they lost two to both Texas and California. The Heat suffered a scare in last night's game against the Thunder when staff ace, Erica Beach, went down with a knee injury. The Heat played all six games at home last week and now finds them with a 4-8 record at Hi Corbett Field.
This Week: The Heat begins the week hosting the second place Akron Racers in Tucson. Arizona will then travel to New England to take on the Riptide in a three-game series (July 5-7).
New England Riptide
Last Week: New England dropped the first three games of the week to the NY/NJ Juggernaut, including another extra inning game. The team responded by taking 2-of-3 games on the road against the struggling California Sunbirds. Pitcher Jocelyn Forest has managed to even her record at 6-6, after starting the year well below .500.
This Week: The Riptide will get the week started on July 2 when the first -place Thunder visits Lowell. Arizona will visit New England next, in what will be the second of four consecutive home series.
California Sunbirds
Last Week: California finished the week 3-3, after beginning the week by taking 2-of-3 games from the Arizona Heat. The Sunbirds were also hit with the injury bug, as they found out that pitcher Amy Kyler will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after undergoing biceps tendon surgery. California continues to struggle offensively, as they scored only 10 runs in six games. The team was also shutout twice during the week.
This Week: The Sunbirds will look to get their season turned around, as they play host to the Juggernaut, July1-3. California will travel to Akron to take on the Racers beginning on July 5-7. The two teams will play four games, with one game being a make-up from an early-season rainout.
Texas Thunder
Last Week: The Thunder only played three games over the last seven days due to severe weather in Houston. After returning to the field, the Thunder took 2-of-3 games from the Arizona Heat in Tucson. Christa Williams and Peaches James each picked up another win, improving their records to 6-1 and 5-1 respectively.
This Week: The Texas Thunder will play five games this week, after playing only three games last week. The Thunder will travel to New England to play the Riptide beginning on Friday, July 2. Texas will stay in the northeast to play the Juggernaut, July 5-7.
Akron Racers
Last Week: Akron also played only three games last week due to the rain in Houston. The team returned to action on Sunday night when they played host to the Juggernaut. Akron took 2-of-3 games against the Nauts, and they have now six consecutive series. The only series the team has lost this season came in the first series of the season against the Texas Thunder.
This Week: The Racers will look to stay on the winning way this week, as they will travel to Arizona to start the week (June 30-July 2) before returning home to host the Sunbirds for four games (July 5-7).
NY/NJ Juggernaut
Last Week: The Juggernaut continued their early-season dominance of the NE Riptide, as they swept a three-game series in New England. The Nauts then went on to lose 2-of-3 to Akron, including a 9-inning loss on Tuesday afternoon. Amanda Scott kept pace with the league leaders in pitching statistics, as she earned her sixth victory of the season. She leads the league with a 0.66 ERA.
This Week: NY/NJ will begin a three-game set with the California Sunbirds tomorrow night in Stockton, Calif. After California, the Juggernaut will return home to take on the Texas Thunder.
Nikki Myers
Akron Racers
Pitcher
Tampa, FL â Florida Atlantic University Akron Racers pitcher, Nikki Myers, was selected as NPF Player of the Week for the week of June 23rd. Myers' selection was the second consecutive for the Akron Racers ball club. Myers made one start in the week, picking up a victory over the NY/NJ Juggernaut. In the win, Myers pitched nine innings, allowed only one earned run and surrendered only two hits. Myers also struck out six Juggernaut hitters, as she was on her way to her third victory of the season. Myers is now 3-2 on the season for the Racers.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 30, 2004
- NPF This Week - NPF
- Sunbirds drop series with 15-inning loss to New England - California Sunbirds
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