PRIDE SHUTS DOWN DIAMONDS 7-0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 11, 2010)— A three-run blast by Melissa Roth in the fifth inning was the big hit of the day at the USSSA Pride beat the Tennessee Diamonds 7-0

The Diamonds ended a two-game winning streak with the loss Sunday afternoon, but still managed to win the series 3-2, the first time they have won a series this season. Despite the heat 206 fans were on hand at Draper Diamond on the campus of Lipscomb University.

The Pride scored two runs in the fourth, three runs in the fifth and two in the sixth.

In the fourth the Pride capitalized on an infield single by Megan Willis coupled with a throwing error to first base by pitcher Becca Heteniak. Tonya Callahan, who had singled with one out, and Amber Flores, who walked, both scored on the play.

Roth’s home run accounted for all three runs in the fifth. Lauren Lappin walked to start off the inning and Caitlin Lowe was hit by a pitch to set the stage for the homer.

In the sixth a single through the right side by Caitlin Lowe drove in two runs for the Pride. Flores led off the inning with a double to left. Willis reached on an infield hit to the shortstop. Charlotte Morgan entered the game as a pinch-hitter and walked. Flores and Willis scored on the single by Lowe.

Right-hander Sarah Pauley, 6-2, threw a complete game for the Pride. She gave up five hits, walked three and struck out six.

Heteniak, 0-2, pitched four innings for the Diamonds. She allowed three hits and four runs, two earned. She walked three and struck out two.

Right-hander Kristen Erb relieved Heteniak in the fifth. In 1.1 innings she scatted four hits and gave up three runs. She walked one and struck out run. Right-hander Samantha Sheeley closed out the game. She gave up one hit in 1.2 innings.

 

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!