Thunder Use Long Ball to Split Series With Heat
June 24, 2006 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Arizona Heat News Release
Spring, Texas - After watching Cat Osterman throw out the first pitch on Saturday night, the Texas Thunder used the long ball to beat the Arizona Heat 4-3 behind a solid pitching effort from staff ace Christa Williams.
With the offense struggling over the last six games, Lindsay Gardner and Karrie Rider each went deep to give the Thunder just enough offense.
Gardner's shot came in the second inning after she swung and missed on an apparent hit-and-run the pitch before. Rider delivered the decisive two-run blast in the bottom of the third inning, driving in Kim Nesloney who had walked two batters before. The homerun for Gardner was her third of the season, while Rider's was her second.
While Gardner and Rider were busy supplying the offense, Christa Williams was doing her job keeping the Heat off-balance in the circle.
Texas would add an extra insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Julie Watson, who was pinch-running for Danyele Gomez who singled, came around to score from first on a three base throwing error by Heat third baseman Jackie Coburn.
Williams, now 6-0 on the season and tied for the league lead in wins with Akron's Amy Kyler, went five and a third innings in the game to record the win. She allowed six hits and two runs, both earned, while striking out five. She now has struck out more hitters than any other pitcher in the league with 52.
Amanda Freed relieved Williams in the sixth and record the final five outs to record her team-best second save of the season.
With the win the Thunder improve to 10-6 on the season, while Arizona drops to 7-9.
The Heat return home next week for a four game series with the US National Team at Hi Corbett Field. The series will start Friday and go through Sunday with a doubleheader on Saturday Night. Friday's and Sunday's games will start at 7 pm with Saturday's doubleheader starting at 6 pm.
Team USA will be led by University of Arizona Coach Mike Candrea. Jennie Finch will also make her return to Tucson along with 2006 National Champions Alicia Hollowell and Caitlin Lowe. Team USA boasts 11 members from the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal winning team including Cat Osterman and Tucson native Tairia Flowers.
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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 24, 2006
- Long Ball Helps Texas Defeat Heat in Series Finale - Rockford Thunder
- Thunder Use Long Ball to Split Series With Heat - Arizona Heat
- Riptide Beat Team Canada 5-3 - New England Riptide
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