Thunder Drop Both Games of Doubleheader with Team USA
July 29, 2006 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
LEAGUE CITY, Texas - For fans attending the doubleheader with Team USA and the Texas Thunder on Saturday, they saw the best and worst of both teams at Big League Dreams in League City.
The teams played a 9-2 game in the opener, which was won by the National Team. Both teams were a little out of sync in the game as there were nine total errors committed, five by the Thunder and four by Team USA. Because of the errors, only five of the 11 runs scored in the game were earned.
Offensively, the National Team was led by Jessica Mendoza and Tairia Flowers. Mendoza finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored, five RBIs and a big three-run home run. Flowers was equally impressive in the game, as she finished with three hits in four at-bats.
The second game of the doubleheader resembled the game played on Friday night between the two teams. It was classic pitcher's dual between two of the top pitchers in fastpitch history and it was Team USA that came out on top 2-0 in eight innings.
Christa Williams started in the circle for the Thunder and went the distance for Texas. The two-time Olympic Gold Medallist struck out six in the game and allowed just seven hits, three of which came in the decisive eighth inning. She was the tough luck loser and dropped to 9-5 on the season.
Jennie Finch opposed Williams in the game and she was extremely effective in her 5 2/3 innings of work. She allowed four hits in the game, but she struck out 12 of the 17 outs she recorded in the game. Finch was relieved in the sixth inning by Monica Abbott who shut down the Thunder to record the win for Team USA.
The loss dropped the Thunder to 16-19 on the season with just 13 games remaining. Texas has five games at home, including tomorrow's game with Team USA, and eight on the road. They currently sit 2.5 games out of the final playoff spot behind the Akron Racers.
The Thunder will resume their series with Team USA on Sunday afternoon for the final game of the four-game set with the National Team. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. for the 1 p.m. scheduled game time. General admission tickets are available for the final game of the series for just $15 each.
For more information on the Texas Thunder or to purchase tickets, contact Aaron M. Moore, general manager, at (281) 403-2475 or amoore@thunderprofastpitch.com. Additional information is available on the team by visiting www.thunderprofastpitch.com. Special group packages are also available by calling the Thunder office.
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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 29, 2006
- Heat Win Third Straight Over Hurricane - Arizona Heat
- Thunder Drop Both Games of Doubleheader with Team USA - Rockford Thunder
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- Texas Falls to U.S. National Team 1-0 - Rockford Thunder
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