The USSSA Pride falls to Canada Wild in both games of doubleheader.
The story of Game 1 was the pitching, as no runs were scored until the bottom of the fourth. Sara Groenewegen of the Wild only let up 3 hits before being pulled through 5 innings, with 3 of the 5 being hitless. Megan Good who was also excellent through 5, only allowing 4 hits but would let a run score in the 4th.
The hitting really took off in the sixth, when Sahvanna Jaquish hit a solo homer to tie up the game. The Wild would not leave the game tied long, as they had a walk, two hits, and a sacrifice fly to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth and ultimately, go on to win the game. The Pride kept it within striking distance the whole time and gave themselves a shot to rally in the seventh.
Players on both sides started swinging early in the second game, as USSSA would strike first in the opening inning off a passed ball. The Wild answered immediately after with an RBI single in the first and a RBI groundout in the second to take back the lead 2-1. Samantha Show showed off her strikeout ability with two in the third to keep things at bay. Shay Knighten then put the Pride back on top with a 2-run homer in the top of the fourth.
Jessica Burroughs found herself in a sticky situation, when she was subbed into the game with two runners on and no outs. She almost saved the situation, forcing 2 outs before giving up a 2 RBI single to make it 4-3 in favor of the Wild at the end of the fourth. Burroughs would allow no runs after that but it would be too late, as the game would end with no other scoring 4-3. Another game where one bad inning blew open the game for the Wild and all they had to do was hang on. The bats just never got hot for the Pride when they needed it most.
The Pride play the last game in the series on May 30th at 7 PM EST at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. Links to tickets can be found at http://siminers.com/tickets/Individual_Tickets.
If you cannot make it out in person, games will be streamed for FREE on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/floridapride/.
Tickets are on sale for home games at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Melbourne, FL at https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1018288/pride-2021-viera-usssa-space-coast.