Kannapolis, NC- Diamonds fans saw a pitching dual between Katie Burkhart (8-9) and Danielle Lawrie (7-2) that was tarnished by three Diamond errors and another loss to the Pride with a final score of 4-1.
The Pride’s Natasha Watley started the game and the Diamonds’ error count when she slapped towards third base and the ball was bobbled. Kretschman hit a blooper over Villarreal’s head at second that scored Watley and gave the Pride an early 1-0 lead.
After the early Pride score, it became a pitcher’s dual until the bottom of the fourth. DiSalvatore had her second hit of the evening followed by Lawrie hitting Folden with a pitch then walking Weseman to load the bases. Kamekona hit an infield grounder but it was enough to allow DiSalvatore to score the Diamonds’ only run of the game and tie the score 1-1.
In the top of the sixth, Diamonds had gotten two outs with Duran on first when Burkhart walked Lapin. Watley hit a single to left field scoring Duran. After taking the cut-off, Weseman attempted to pick-off Lappin at second base but the throw was missed and went to the outfield fence allowing both Lappin and Watley to score two unearned runs. The inning allowed the Pride to put 3 more runs on the board and the final score of 4-1.
Burkhart and Lawrie both pitched a complete 7-inning game and had comparable statistics. Burkhart had 11 strike outs; 3 bases on balls and 1 earned runs. Lawrie had 9 strike outs; 2 bases on balls and 1 earned run.
Diamonds are now behind in the series 0-3.
The final game of the series and the last Diamonds home game for the Season will be played at CMC NorthEast Stadium – Home of the Kannapolis Intimidators. The game will be Sunday with a 5:05 start. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.yourcarolinadiamonds.com or day of the game at the Box Office.
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!