Pride Rally Back to Beat the Bandits in the Second Game of the Florida Series
July 15, 2015 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
USSSA Pride News Release
Kissimmee, FL- July 14, 2015-The USSSA Pride (21-7) picked up the 5-3 victory over the Chicago Bandits (21-9) Tuesday night at Champion Stadium to move into sole possession of first place in the NPF standings. The Pride fell behind in the third inning but rallied back with a five-run fifth frame to record the victory.
Chicago struck first in the game as catcher Vicky Galasso homered to left to lead off the third inning to give the Bandits the 1-0 lead. Chicago scored again when AJ Andrews reached on an infield single then came around to score when the fielding attempt on Emily Allard's sacrifice bunt attempt sailed over the first baseman's head, with Allard ending up at third as a result of the error.
Amber Patton drove in Allard to extend the Bandits' lead to 3-0 with a hot shot single past the third baseman. The Bandits looked primed to score again in the frame with runners on first and second and nobody out but Keilana Ricketts was able to escape after Patton was thrown out trying to steal third followed by a strikeout and a groundout.
Chicago's Michelle Gascoigne retired 12 of the first 14 batters she faced before running into trouble in the fifth frame. Andrea Duran broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single through the left side and catcher Chelsea Goodacre followed with a single of her own to give the Pride two runners aboard. The top of the order came through in the clutch with two outs as Natasha Watley and Kelly Kretschman each knocked RBI singles followed by the big blast of the inning, a three run home run by Megan Wiggins, giving the Pride the 5-3 advantage.
Neither team scored in the sixth frame and Jordan Taylor (SV, 8) shut down the Bandits in order in the seventh to record her 8th save of the season and preserve the 5-3 Pride victory.
USSSA's Keilani Ricketts (W, 5-1) notched her fifth victory in the circle this season by scattering four hits over six innings and striking out five. Chicago's Michelle Gascoigne (L, 4-2) was chased after 4.2 innings after surrendering five runs on five hits. Kirsten Verdun entered the circle and tossed the final inning and a third in hitless fashion.
The game of the series will be played tomorrow, Wed. July 15, at a later time of 8:05 p.m. following the opening ceremonies of the USSSA Fastpitch World Series.
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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 15, 2015
- Rebellion Shutout the Charge, 1-0 - Pennsylvania Rebellion
- Pride Rally Back to Beat the Bandits in the Second Game of the Florida Series - USSSA Pride
- Rebellion Rally in 6th to Beat Charge, 5-4 - Pennsylvania Rebellion
- Pride Rally Back to Beat Bandits, 5-3 - USSSA Pride
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