Rockford opens playoffs with best of 3 vs. Akron
August 18, 2009 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
August 18, 2009 - ROCKFORD - After missing the playoffs in 2008, the Thunder return to NPF postseason action as the #3 seeded team in the four-team tournament.
Rockford (19-21) will open the postseason on Thursday night against host and second-seeded Akron. Game one of the best-of-three series is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m. CDT and will follow the opening game between the Chicago Bandits and the USSSA Pride.
The Thunder and Racers became well acquainted with one another to open the season as they played the first 10 games of the season against one another. During the stretch, Rockford won six of the 10 games played, including three in Akron.
During the regular season series the Racers outhit and outpitched the Thunder, but couldn't win the season series. Akron held a 2.60 earned run average in the 10 games compared to a 3.50 ERA for the Thunder. The Racers were also 12 points better in batting average during the regular season match-up as they hit .241 as a group.
There is some bad blood between the two teams as well thanks in large part to a bench clearing incident in one of the games in Akron. Order was eventually restored, but emotions should definitely be running high for the series.
Rockford enters the postseason on the heels of a four-game losing streak, while Akron's team is going in the opposite direction. Akron played exceptionally well down the stretch to push Chicago for the league title, but they enter Thursday's game with not playing in 10 days.
Game Schedule (all times CDT - approximate start time listed)
Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 7:45 p.m.
Friday, August 21, 2009 - 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 3:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Players to watch For the Racers there are three players to keep an eye on in the series. Offensively the Racers are led by Crystl Bustos and Jackie Pasquerella. Bustos finished first in all of the NPF in hitting at .382, while Pasquerella's .342 average was the fourth highest number in the league. During the regular season series Pasquerelle tore apart Thunder pitching. She was 13-for-28 with a .464 batting average, eight runs scored and five RBIs. Bustos was 9-for-28 during the season set, but she did have two home runs and seven runs batted in. In the circle the player to watch will be rookie Lisa Norris. Norris was just 1-3 in four regular season starts against the Thunder, but her win came via the perfect game back on June 10th.
The recipe for the Thunder against the Racers is quite simple. Someone other than Cat Osterman needs to step up and win a game in the circle and the offense needs to take advantage of what the Racers give them. During the regular season match-up between the teams, Osterman was nearly untouchable, as she went 4-0 and allowed just one run in 25 2/3 innings pitched striking out 46 hitters. The rest of the pitching staff was 2-4 with 37 runs allowed over remaining 41 1/3 innings. Allison Kime and Cassidy Scoggins each recorded one of the wins, but neither pitcher had an ERA below 3.00. At the plate the Thunder needs to capitalize on the opportunities given to them by the Racers. In the 10 regular season games the Racers had 13 errors, walked 34 and hit five batters, but the Thunder was only able to turn that in to 34 total runs scored. Shanna Diller will be a key hitter against Akron. She led the team in June vs. the Racers with a .357 batting average, collecting 10 hits in 28 at-bats.
Probable Starters
Game #1 - ROC: Cat Osterman (11-1, 0.42) vs. Angela Tincher (6-2, 1.82)
Game #2 - ROC: Allison Kime (3-11, 3.97) vs. Lisa Norris (9-5, 2.53)
Game #3 (if necessary) - ROC: Osterman vs. Tincher
On the Air
Fans will have the opportunity to watch the entire NPF Championship Series at no charge by visiting www.profastpitch.com and clicking on the âLIVE GAMES' link. All game stats for the tournament will also be available through Gametracker.
For more information on the Thunder contact the Thunder at (815) 965-7000. For additional information on the team visit them on the web at www.thunderprofastpitch.com.
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