Pride End Regular Season with a Win
Published on August 12, 2016 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
USSSA Pride News Release
Kissimmee, FL -he USSSA Pride ended their regular season in the same way they started it: with a win. In their final game of the regular season, the Pride defeated the Akron Racers in a tight contest that ended in a score of 4-3.
The scoring started in the third inning. The Racers jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a double from Sami Fagan. That double scored leadoff batter Taylor Schlopy and AJ Andrews, who was hit by a pitch in the second plate appearance of the inning.
The Pride showed fight in the fourth. The first two batters put themselves on base by way of an infield single from Hallie Wilson and a hit-by-pitch to Kirsti Merritt (her second of the night). Runners advanced to scoring position thanks to a Haylie McCleney SAC bunt, and Wilson scored on a ground ball from Kelsey Stewart. Courtney Ceo then sacrificed herself for the team, laying down a bund that scored Merritt. Megan Wiggins followed up that effort with an RBI double down the right field line that scored Stewart and took the lead.
Akron tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when Jennifer Gilbert homered to center field and made the score 3-3.
Not to be out done, the Pride gained that run back in the top of the fifth. With two outs and a tie game, Wilson came in clutch with a solo home run over the left field fence. Her homer took the 4-3 lead permanently for the Pride.
Pride starter Hannah Rogers had good outing. She tossed four complete innings and allowed just two hits. While Rogers walked three and gave up a home run (one of three total earned runs), she redeemed herself by striking out five of the 18 batters she faced.
Closer Jordan Taylor entered the game in the fifth inning. After walking the first batter she faced, Taylor struck out five and gave up no hits in 11 batters faced. She lowered her ERA to a staggering 0.74.
The Pride will take a brief break before they start the post season. They'll begin on August 19 when they once again face the Racers. Game time is set for 5:00 PM (ET).
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 12, 2016
- Pride End Regular Season with a Win - USSSA Pride
- The Racers Lose the 2016 Season Finale to Pride - Akron Racers
- SY Dawgs Complete Sweep of Rebellion - NPF
- Haeger No-Hits Bandits - NPF
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