Viera, FL (July 16, 2017) – On a breezy Sunday evening, the USSSA Pride (23-6) flashed past the Akron Racers (17-15) at the Space Coast Stadium to prolong its winning streak. An early lead and a powerful offense propelled the Navy, Red and White past the Racers 4-3 to maintain their reign atop the 2017 NPF standings.
The Pride lineup currently has 10 players among the 2017 NPF offensive top-10s, with two or more players in each one of the ten offensive categories. As a team, USSSA records a .288 batting average with a slugging percentage of .470 for 130 RBI. In 29 games played, the Pride collected 146 runs. Within six weeks of the 2017 Season, the USSSA offensive firepower accumulated 76 extra-base hits, 27 of those were home runs, six were triples and 43 were doubles. In the night, the Pride lineup collected four hits and four RBI. At the plate, Lauren Chamberlain led the USSSA offense, going 1-for-2 with two RBI, increasing her personal record to 18.
In the circle, Kelsey Nunley (6-1) seized under her belt another win, collecting four strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched. In the 2017 Season, Nunley holds a 2.08 ERA in 37.4 innings pitched for a season high of 36 strikeouts. In her nine appearances, Nunley allotted solely 6 walks and 14 hits. Entering in the fifth to close the frame, Keilani Ricketts (6-3) faced four batters in 1.1 innings pitched to lock the Pride lead in the fifth, where Akron placed runners in scoring position. Jordan Taylor (1-0, 8) closed the game for USSSA earning her eighth seasonal save. Taylor sits atop the 2017 NPF rankings for ERA with an impressive percentage of 0.66, recording 18 strikeouts in 11.2 innings pitched.
The Pride batting frenzy started in the bottom of the first, where USSSA clutched three runs to overlap the Racers, 3-0. After a blank second, Akron grabbed two runs in the third to reduce the gap, 3-2.
Entering the home offensive half of the third still ahead, the Pride increased its lead by one, as Chamberlain flared a single to left to push Kretschman home and put USSSA on the scoreboard once more, 4-2. However, the Racers answered back in the fourth with one run to decrease the Pride stretch, 4-3.
As fifth and sixth went by with an unaffected score, Taylor entered in the seventh as a closer and flawlessly secured the win for USSSA, 4-3.
Tomorrow night, the Pride will face the Beijing Eagles at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 7:05 EST.
Quick Facts
Attendance: 397
Duration: 1:55
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2004, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in fastpitch softball beyond their collegiate and amateur success. The NPF affiliate teams consist of the Akron Racers, Beijing Shougang Eagles, Chicago Bandits, Scrap Yard Dawgs, Texas Charge and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2017 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the United States, Australia, Canada and China among which are the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
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 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2004, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in fastpitch softball beyond their collegiate and amateur success. The NPF affiliate teams consist of the Akron Racers, Beijing Shougang Eagles, Chicago Bandits, Scrap Yard Dawgs, Texas Charge and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2017 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the United States, Australia, Canada and China among which are the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball. About USSSA: USSSA is 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