Viera, FL (July 2nd, 2021)- Military and Veterans Appreciation night turned out to be a great one at Space Coast Stadium tonight. Veterans of the Korean, Gulf War and World War II came out and threw out the first pitches, the while the Marine Corp Color Guard presented the colors. It was an honor for the USSSA Pride, wearing their specialty Military theme jerseys, to have all of them here. Those jerseys are being auctioned with proceeds benefiting the Veterans Memorial Center as well as the Mike Sonnenschien Fund.
The Pride had an offensive explosion tonight scoring 8 runs on 8 hits. This was one of their best offensive games of the season. In the first inning Shelby Pendley doubled to left field and advanced to third on a passed ball. Chelsea Goodacre singled to center scoring Pendley for the first run. The Pride scored one more run in the fifth on a Goodacre sacrifice and scored 6 runs in the 6th inning to seal the deal.
Due to some injuries sustained by some of the Pride infielders, Odicci Alexander made her first career start at first base tonight. In the bottom of the 6th, she led things off, reaching first base on an error followed by a Megan Good single. Haley Cruse singled to left loading the bases. Amanda Lorenz singled up the middle scoring Alexander and Good with Cruse advancing to third. Amanda Lorenz singled up the middle scoring Cruse. Pendley grounded out, advancing Lorenz to second followed by a Sahvanna Jaquish walk and Goodacre single loading the bases. Sierra Romero came up to bat with two out and hit a bases clearing double winning the game in a run rule.
Jailyn Ford pitched another terrific game tonight. She pitched a complete game shutout, striking out 10 batters and only giving up 3 hits with no walks. For this 13 game homestand, Ford has pitched in 7 games with a .197 era in 32 innings pitched. She has 37 strike outs on 10 walks and only allowed 11 runs, 9 earned.
Your USSSA Pride hit the road with their next game on July 13th at Bosse Field in Evansville, Indiana. Join us on USSSAlive to catch all the action.