Riptide Win Finale 3-2 in Eight, Scott Breaks Stolen Base Record
August 19, 2007 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
New England Riptide News Release
Allentown, PA- The New England Riptide met the Philadelphia Force today in Allentown for their last regular season game before heading off to the NPF playoffs in Kimberly, Wisconsin next week. For the Force, the game was their season. Win and make the playoffs, lose and go home allowing the Rockford Thunder to advance. In a back and forth battle the game went into extra innings with the Riptide scoring one in the eighth to eliminate the Force.
The Force scored first off Riptide starter Danielle Henderson, who did not figure in the decision. Treena Peel led off with a walk, but was caught stealing by KJ Kelley. Later that inning, Chelsea Spencer doubled into right center scoring Stacey Pestrak, who had pinch run for Jenna Hall after walking. Force starter and NPF Rookie of the Year, Kristina Thorson, was cruising until the top of the sixth when leadoff batter, Alex Sutton, blasted her second homerun of the year to tie the score. The Riptide took the lead 2-1 in the same inning as Shanel Scott walked and immediately proceeded to set a new NPF mark for stolen bases in a season with her 34th. Scott later scored on a Lyndsey Angus single. The run was the 32nd of the year for Scott making her the NPF leader in that category.
The Force would not give up, though. In the bottom of the inning, All-star first baseman, Kellie Wilkerson, sent a double to the center field fence to start the inning off Jocelyn Forest who had come on in the previous inning in relief of Henderson. Wilkerson used her base running skills to attempt a delayed steal of third and scored when KJ Kelley's throw sailed into left field. A number of rain delays ensued, but with the Riptide leaving town that night and a playoff spot on the line, the game had to be finished.
The Riptide won it in the eighth when none other than Shanel Scott scored the game winner. Scott had singled to left with one out and advanced to second when Jackie Pasquerella grounded back to relief pitcher, Jodie Cox. Scott advanced to third on a passed ball, and then after a twenty minute rain delay, scored the winner, unearned, on a wild pitch to put an exclamation on her All-star season.
The Riptide finish the season at 27-17 (25-19 including forfeits, possibly to be overturned) and next play the Akron Racers in the first round of a four team, double elimination playoff next Friday. The playoffs are being hosted by Cardinal Youth Softball in Kimberly, Wisconsin. Game time is 6:00PM CST.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 19, 2007
- Thunder Sneak into Playoffs with 24-20 Record - Rockford Thunder
- Riptide Win Finale 3-2 in Eight, Scott Breaks Stolen Base Record - New England Riptide
- Force Season Ends in Rain - Philadelphia Force
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