Pride Storm Past Force in Series Finale

Published on July 26, 2009 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


KISSIMMEE, Fla. - It was a long and stormy afternoon for the Force as they battled the Pride in game five of the crucial series. Led by Monica Abbot, the host Pride defeated the Force by the final score of 4-1 at Disney's Wide World of Sports. In total, the two teams battled through six hours of rain delays Sunday afternoon.

With the series loss, the Force's record dropped to 7-21 on the season, while the Pride improved to 10-15. USSSA still hold a two game lead over the Force for fourth place in the league standings.

Philadelphia took the lead on missed opportunities from USSSA early. In the first inning, Jami Lobpries was hit by a pitch to allow her to reach with one out. Two strikeouts could not keep the run from scoring as a passed ball moved Lobpries to second and a dropped-third-strike error by catcher Sara Larquier gave enough hustle room for Lobpries to score.

USSSA would answer quickly in the bottom of the first from a Kelly Kretschman single and a homerun from Amber Jackson, making it a 2-1 ball game.

Before the rain delay, the Pride put one more dent on the scoreboard on a one run homer by Jessica Dignon. Following the very long rain delay, the Pride used the long ball for the third time in the game to make it a 4-1 score.

Abbott who flirted with a no-no for most of the afternoon surrendered her only hit of the day to Lobpries, a triple in the top of the sixth.

On the day the US Olympian, Abbot totaled 17 strikeouts, and walked just three batters. Her counterpart Megan Gibson threw the first two innings of Sunday's contest. In her outing, Gibson allowed three runs on four hits and had two strikeouts of her own.

The Force return to ECTB Stadium on Tuesday when they face the Rockford Thunder at 7:35 p.m. EST. The Rockford series can be viewed on-line by going to http://www.philadelphiaforce.com/live.

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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 26, 2009


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