Thunder Bats Heat Up Against Glory
June 4, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
ROCKFORD - Rookie Sandy Vojik picked an excellent time to go off for her first professional home run Wednesday as the Thunder (4-1) defeated defending champion Washington (3-2) in extra innings.
The Thunder had their best hitting performance on the season, getting 12 hits in the nine innings. Rockford's Lindsay Gardner went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, and Courtney Bures went 4-for-4 for the visiting Glory in the losing effort.
With one out in the first, Gardner and Vojik hit back-to-back singles, and Shanna Diller reached on an error by Bures at shortstop. Victoria Batistelli was then hit on an 0-2 pitch to walk Gardner in for the game's first score.
The Glory scattered in three runs over the next six innings to go up 3-1. Facing defeat in the bottom of the seventh, Batistelli singled and Amanda Williams drew a walk to lead off the inning. Beth Boden then got her first RBI of the season with a single to center field. Third baseman Audrey Rendon then was able to tie the game with another single to center. Vojik came to the plate with runners on first and third, but ended up grounding into a fielder's choice to end the threat.
Washington took control in the top of the ninth when Jessica Moore drove in Bures with a go-ahead double with two out. The Thunder were about to lose their second straight when they quickly hit into two outs. Audrey Rendon then hit a weak grounder through the infield that was poorly fielded for Washington's second error of the game. Gardner then hit her fourth single of the game to set up Vojik's 3-1 homer to deep left-center field.
Sara Pauley (2-1) pitched nine strong innings, only giving up two earned runs while earning 12 strikeouts for the Glory. Rookie Allison Kime (1-1) earned her first win in pitching 6.1 relief innings for a struggling Megan Brown.
The two teams will again match up Thursday night at 6:35 pm at Sportscore One. Tickets are available starting at just $5. All females will receive a free ticket voucher at the door for Thursday's Ladies' Night promotion.
• Discuss this story on the National Pro Fastpitch message board...
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 4, 2008
- Thunder Bats Heat Up Against Glory - Rockford Thunder
- Riptide Power Past Force - Philadelphia Force
- Riptide Hand Force First Loss 5-1 - New England Riptide
- NPF Announces Game of the Week on Fox Sports Net - NPF
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
