AKRON, OH – August 19, 2012 – Kelley Montalvo blasted a solo home run over the center field fence in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Racers, closing the scoring gap to 5-2.
The USSSA Florida Pride stood strong, taking the weekend series from the Akron Racers, winning 5-2.
The Pride started off strong in the first inning with two doubles hit by Caitlin Lowe and Lauren Lappin. Kristyn Sandberg followed in the next at-bat and took first on a hit-by-pitch.
After one out, Francesca Enea took first after Lisa Norris’s second hit-by-pitch, bringing in one run. Charlotte Morgan earned the last run of the inning with a sacrifice fly ball to right field, bringing Lappin home.
The Racers took advantage of the Pride’s pitching in the third inning with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, loading the bases.
After a rain delay, the Racers couldn’t take control ending the inning defensively with no runs.
In the top of the fourth inning the Pride continued to strike the Racers with Morgan and Duran’s singles. Two batters later, Jenn Salling’s sacrifice earned one run.
In the bottom of the fourth the Pride walked Nicole Trimboli and Kaylyn Castillo earned a single. With Taylor Schlopy’s hit to shortstop, the Pride made a bare-handed 6-4-3, double play ending the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lisa Modglin blasted a double to the center field fence. After Nicole Trimboli’s single, Modglin scored the Racers first run of the game.
In the top of the seventh inning, Caitlin Lowe became the leader in the NPF for most hits after hitting a single, her third hit on the day.
Two at-bats later, Kristyn Sandberg and Kelly Kretschman both hit singles, bringing in Lowe for another run. After another out and with Charlotte Morgan at-bat, Jen Mineau (0-1) threw out a wild pitch that allowed Jamee Juarez, who was pinch running for Sandberg to earn a run.
The Racers’ Kelly montalvo hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, earning the last run of the game for the Racers.
Brittany Mack pitched all seven innings today for the Pride allowing four hits on two runs with five strikeouts lowering her ERA to 3.46.
The Racers went through three pitchers today against the Pride. Lisa Norris (4-9) started in the pitching circle today, pitching three innings allowing two hits on two runs with four strikeouts.
Hillary Bach (5-8) relieved Norris in the fourth inning, allowing three hits on one run. Jen Mineau entered the pitching circle to finish the game in the seventh inning allowing three hits on two runs making her ERA 4.45.
The Akron Racers and Florida Pride will meet in round one of the 2012 NPF Championship Series this Thursday in Rosemont, Ill. Tickets for the Championship Series are available through the NPF office by visiting www.profastpitch.com.
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!