Kissimmee, FL-July 20, 2014-A three-run second and a two-run fifth were all Cat Osterman and the USSSA Florida Pride needed for a 5-0 victory against the Chicago Bandits Sunday night at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Amanda Kamekona’s sacrifice fly to left field in the second inning proved to be the game winner.
After an Andrea Duran walk, Kelly Kretschman ripped a double to right center in the bottom of the second. Kamekona then lined a sacrifice fly to left field to score Duran. Two batters later Courtney Ceo laced a triple over the head of the right fielder to score Kretschman and Megan Willis, who had reached on a walk. Ceo ended the day going 1-2 with two RBIs.
“I was looking for a pitch I could handle and put a good swing on to score the runners. My team did a great job of getting on base and I was looking to just drive the ball to the outfield,” said Ceo on her second inning triple.
In the bottom of the fifth, Natasha Watley advanced to third after her single to right field got passed right fielder Cheyenne Coyle. Four pitches later, Lowe lined a double to left center scoring Watley. Lowe came around to score after a RBI single to right field by GiOnna DiSalvatore. Watley and Kretschman each had two hits on the day while four different Pride players recorded a RBI.
Osterman (11-0) picked up the victory as she went five innings and struck out seven. Bandit shortstop Tammy Williams recored the only hit of the day, a bunt single in the top of the second. Chelsea Thomas and Jordan Taylor each threw a scoreless inning in the sixth and seventh respectively. Andi Williamson (2-2) suffered the loss after giving up five earned runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings.
“These last two wins are great going into tomorrow. We are in a great position to take the series and then focus on continuously playing team softball towards championships,” said Ceo about winning the first two games of the series.
The Pride and Bandits return to action for game three of the series Monday, July 21 at 7:05 PM EDT. For tickets visit www.dev.usssapride.com or purchase tickets at the gate. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network with play-by-play Eric Collins and analyst Barbara Jordan. For more information and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
Box Score: Click Here
Site: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, FL
Score: Bandits 0, Pride 5
Records: Chicago (17-11), Pride (22-8)
Next Game: Monday, July 21 at 7:05 PM EDT
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