USSSA Pride Take the Series Lead with a 12-3 Win over the Akron Racers
July 25, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release
USSSA Pride Take the Series Lead with a 12-3 Win Over the Akron Racers USSSA Pride Kissimmee, FL (July 23, 2016) - The USSSA Florida Pride took game two against the Akron Racers with a final score of 12-3 Sunday night. With the win, the Pride improved to 23-10 on the season.
Once again, the Pride began the scoring early with four runs in the first. Powerhandz Player of the Game Kelly Kretschman brought in run number one of the night with a double to left center that scored Wiggins, following a leadoff single by the Pride center fielder. Hallie Wilson then doubled to bring in Kretschman from third to give the Pride a 2-0 lead. Lauren Chamberlain then stepped up to the plate and shot one over the fence to bring in 2 RBI and give USSSA a 4-0 lead.
The Racers responded in the top of the second with three runs of their own. Gilbert led off the inning with a single that was followed by a Montalvo-drawn walk that put two on. With no outs, Simmons laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Montalvo and Gilbert to second and third. With two outs, Joiner shot a hard-hit infield single that scored Gilbert to put the Racers within three, 4-1. AJ Andrews then shot a two-out double to center field for 2 RBI to put Akron within one run, 4-3.
Chelsea Goodacre led off the bottom of the fourth reaching on a fielding error that was followed by a Sierra Romero single, her second of the night. With two outs and two on, Kelly Kretschman earned her tenth home run of the season to bring in three RBI and give the Pride a 7-3 lead. In that same at bat, Kretschman also earned the title of current NPF home run leader.
The Pride added five more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Wiggins led off the inning with a solo home run to extend the Pride lead to 8-3. Kretschman was then hit by the pitch to put one on for Shelby Pendley, who shot a double and placed runners on the corners. Rookie Kirsti Merritt then added two more to the scoreboard with her own double and a 10-3 lead. Two more were added by GiOnna DiSalvatore's sacrifice fly in left for a 12-3 lead. What should have been a one-run play turned into a two-run RBI situation following a throwing error.
Starting pitcher Kelsey Nunley, tossed 5.1 innings struck out six batters and kept the Racers to six hits for the win. Keilani Ricketts came in for relief in the sixth and struck out two of three batters face before Jordan Taylor came in to close out the seventh with a strikeout of her own and two forced ground outs.
The Pride conclude the series against the Akron Racers tomorrow night at ESPN Wide World of Sports at 7PM (ET).
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