Thunder Series Preview

Published on July 21, 2008 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release


When the Thunder host the Akron Racers on Wednesday, it will have been 46 days since the last time Rockford hosted a game against an NPF team. An extensive mid-season stretch, including three road series and two home series against national teams, will mean that Rockford will play three home series against league competition in just three weeks.

That heavy home schedule begins this weekend, against fourth-place Akron. Rockford, fresh off a 1-3 trip at the defending league champion Washington Glory, will look to resume their winning ways, after starting off the season 8-3.

The Washington road trip saw the Thunder pitch some of their best games of the season, with a cumulative 3.55 ERA. Two of their three losses were by just one run, and overall, the team was outscored by the Glory by just one run, 13-12.

Akron won the first two games of their most recent road trip to Lowell, Mass. before hitting their two-game losing streak against the New England Riptide.

The series will take place from Wednesday through Saturday at Roscoe's Players Park, where the remainder of the 2008 season will be played.

Wednesday - series opener, 6:35 pm

Thursday - Ladies' Day; Businesspeople's Day; Kids' Day, 1:05 pm

Friday - 6:35 pm

Saturday - NPF Battle of the Bats before the game, 5:35 pm

Ticket Specials

Thursday

Ladies' Day - All women will receive a free ticket voucher to be redeemed at any later Thunder home game

Businesspeople's Day - All businesspeople will receive buy one, get one free admission

Kids' Day - All kids will receive free admission with a paid adult

All games

- Buy two tickets and two seat cushions for a discounted package rate of $10 per person.

- Buy four tickets and four seat backs for a discounted package rate of $10 per person.

Opening Pitching Matchup

ROC: Serena Settlemier (1-6, 3.23 ERA)

Settlemier gave up just eight runs in two starts against Washington, but did not receive enough offensive support to earn the win in either appearance, including a 3-2 loss on July 19. Against Philadelphia the previous week, Settlemier went 1-1 with a 1.05 ERA against the currently first-place club.

AKR: Angela Tincher (9-4, 1.68 ERA)

Tincher went 2-0 last week against the Riptide, earning a 0.82 ERA over 17 innings. That impressive stretch included a ten-inning complete game performance to earn the extra-innings win. In that second start, she gave up just four hits and struck out fifteen hitters over the ten frames.

Players to Watch

ROC: OF Erin Evans had a breakout series against the Glory, going 6-for-10 at the plate, with two home runs, three runs batted in, and four runs scored. On the season, Evans is tied with Shanna Diller for the team lead in runs scored, with 10.

AKR: 1B Kate Robinson and C Kristen Butler had nearly identical series against the Riptide. Each had five hits, four RBIs, and one home run in the weekend series.

Up Next (Pitching Probables)

- Thursday: Thunder (Allison Kime, 5-4, 3.04 ERA) vs. Racers (Angel Shamblin, 2-4, 3.48 ERA)

- Friday: Thunder (Settlemier) vs. Racers (Jamee Juarez, 0-3, 5.56 ERA)

- Saturday: Thunder (Kime) vs. Racers (Tincher)

Tickets

In addition to the above deals, everyday tickets are $5 at the gate at Roscoe's Players Park. Call the Thunder box office at (815) 965-7000 for more information.



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 21, 2008


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