Thunder Series Preview Number Ten
August 4, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
The Thunder are coming off of a series against the Akron Racers in which all four games were decided by just one run; however, just one of those games were won by Rockford.
The Thunder will play host this week to the New England Riptide with the chance to get back within playoff contention. That makes this series unmissable for any Thunder fans.
Coming into Monday's game, fourth-place Akron has lost two games in a row to the Chicago Bandits. That puts them at 19-19 with two games to go in that series. Should Rockford win out against the Riptide, they would be sitting pretty to head into the NPF Playoffs.
The four-game set against the team from Lowell, Mass. is part of eight straight home games for the Thunder. Rockford will host New England from Aug. 4-7, and the Philadelphia Force from Aug. 8-11. The Thunder have not lost a home series against an NPF team all season, including a 2-2 tie against league-leading Washington and a 3-1 series win over third-place Chicago.
Opening Pitching Matchup
ROC: Allison Kime (7-6, 2.72 ERA)
Kime went 1-1 last week against the Racers, and gave up just three earned runs over 13+ innings. Kime, a rookie out of Central Florida, has been the most consistent pitcher for the Thunder in 2008, and, among other accomplishments, pitched a no-hitter against the Netherlands' national team, an 8-0 win for Rockford. She also has allowed the least walks (29 - tied with Serena Settlemier), struck out the most batters (59), earned the most wins (7), and thrown the most innings (85.0) for the Thunder.
NE: Jocelyn Forest (6-7, 2.65 ERA)
Forest lost to the Chicago Bandits in her latest appearance, throwing a complete game, while giving up two runs on six hits. She also walked one, struck out three and gave up a home run. On the season, she has fairly impressive stats, and has allowed the least baserunners per inning of any of New England's pitchers.
Players to Watch
ROC: Lindsay Gardner paced the Rockford offense against the Racers, going 5-for-12 with three runs scored and four runs batted in.
NE: Jackie Pasquerella had an outstanding series against the Bandits, hitting 5-for-11, while scoring twice and driving two runs in.
Up Next (Pitching Probables)
- Tuesday: Thunder (Serena Settlemier, 2-8, 3.66 ERA) vs. Riptide (Eileen Canney, 10-7, 2.13 ERA)
- Wednesday: Thunder (Kime) vs. Riptide (Erica Beach, 1-5, 2.97 ERA)
- Thursday: Thunder (Settlemier) vs. Riptide (Canney)
Tickets
All tickets are just $5 and can be purchased at the gate at Players Park before each game. Players Park is located at 5444 Swanson Road in Roscoe. All four games in this series begin at 6:35 pm.
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