Thunder Wins 4-0 as Williams earns 3rd Shut-out
June 18, 2005 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
Before we get into tonight's game we want to appologize for not thanking and recognizing Ms. Marie "RED" Mahoney for coming out and throwing out the first pitch at one of last week's games. Red, a Houston native, was one of the members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that was made famous in the movie "A League of Their Own." Fortunate for Thunder we have several ex-AAGPBL players that attend almost every game.
Tonight we were honored by 81 year young, Ms. Bessie Morris of Willis, TX. Bessie was a southpaw fastpitch pitcher for the South Houston Gulf States Asphalt team from 1949 thru 1955. We were all truly blessed to have her in attendence and to watch her throw out the first pitch. THANK-YOU LADIES!!! You are a true inspiration to the kids.
Houston, TX-- Texas Thunder pitcher Christa Williams (UT) collected her third shut out of the season as the Thunder improved to 5-2 on the regular season with a 4-0 victory over Russia Saturday evening at Big League Dreams Sports Complex in League City.
Texas Thunder centerfielder Kristen Zaleski (Texas State) lead off the bottom of the first with a walk and then advanced to second on a past ball. Right fielder Kim Nesloney (UH) followed with a walk and second baseman Lindsay Gardner (UT) laid down the sacrifice bunt to advance the runners one base. Third baseman Clare Burnum (Oregon State) continued to increase her RBI total as she drove in Zaleski with her first at bat on a hard ground ball to the left side of the Russian second baseman. Texas Thunder got on the board first and closed out the inning with a 1-0 lead.
Williams retired the next three Russian batters to collect her second and third strikeouts of the night. But Thunder could not add to their lead as Russian pitcher Svetlana Koshukhova retired the next three Thunder hitters as well.
The game moved into the bottom of the fourth with Thunder still ahead 1-0. Left fielder Erin Evans (OU) walked and designated hitter Julie Watson (Cal State Fullerton) collected her first base hit of the game as she singled between the short stop and third baseman. Watson and Evans then reached third and second safely on a double steal and catcher Denise Dahlberg (U Col at Col Springs) drove in her first RBI of the season with a fielder's choice to the third baseman. Evans scored from third and Thunder moved up 2-0. Zaleski then plated Watson on a fielder's choice to the second baseman and an error by the Russian shortstop gave Nesloney an RBI as Dahlberg scored from third. Texas Thunder added a total of three runs to their lead to close out the fourth 4-0.
Williams collected her fourth, fifth and sixth strikeouts of the game to retire the top of the fifth and Thunder looked to threaten again with the bases loaded. With one out, pinch hitter Monica Garza (Tarelton) laid down the squeeze bunt but Russia got out of the inning with a one, two, three double play. Russia held off the threat and Thunder maintained their lead with a score of 4-0.
The game moved into the sixth and neither team increased their run total to leave the score at 4-0. Williams retired the side in the top of the seventh to give Texas Thunder the win, as well as collecting her third consecutive shut out of the season. She finished the game with eight strikeouts and Texas Thunder improved to 5-2 in regular season play.
Come see Mayumi Murakami (Japan) and Texas Thunder as they play their fourth and final game against the Russian National Team again Sunday afternoon, June 19, at 1:00 p.m. at Big League Dreams Sports Park in League City.
Story by: Callye Williams
Tickets will be available at the gate 1 hour before game time.
Be sure to check our Info/Hotline before heading to the field in case of bad weather....(281) 397-4646.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 18, 2005
- Thunder Wins 4-0 as Williams earns 3rd Shut-out - Rockford Thunder
- Juggernaut takes game three - New York/New Jersey Juggernaut
- Texas Thunder bats stay hot as they down Russian National Team - Rockford Thunder
- Thunder's bats heat up - Rockford Thunder
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