Gibson’s Solo Home-run Makes the Difference for the Diamonds

Desiree Serrano

Kissimmee, Fla. – The USSSA Florida Pride took to the field for the third time tonight in a four game series against the Tennessee Diamonds, and for the first time this weekend, allowed the visiting team to take the victory, resulting in a 1-0 loss for the Pride.

Desiree Serrano started in the circle for the Pride and shouldered the loss, allowing one run on three hits and striking out only four.

Starting opposite her was Megan Gibson who not only recorded the win for the Diamonds but also made the difference for the visiting team with her solo home run in the top of the second. The Diamonds recorded a second hit in the second inning on a single from Angeline Quiocho, but she was left stranded at first when Shannon Doepking’s fly-out to left marked the third out of the inning.

The Pride threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases on a single from Tonya Callahan and two walks issued to Megan Willis and Francesca Enea. Kristin Schnake came to the plate with two outs on the inning and the aforementioned runners in position to score, but her fly-out to left retired the inning with all three stranded.

The home team looked in position to tie the score in the bottom of the sixth but the Pride were unable to secure a come-from-behind victory, allowing the Diamonds the 1-0 win.

The two teams will go head-to-head for the final game of the series tomorrow, July 25. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:05 pm.

The USSSA Florida Pride joined the NPF as a franchise Team in November of 2009, operated by Florida Pride LLC. USSSA managed the Pride Team during 2009, culminating their inaugural season with a second place finish in the Championship Series. USSSA Florida Pride is sponsored by USSSA, the world’s largest amateur sports association, and is headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida.

About USSSA Florida Pride:

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!