Pride: 7
Bandits: 5
KISSIMMEE, FL – After a two-hour rain delay, the USSSA Pride beat the NPF-leading Chicago Bandits 7-5 at Osceola County Stadium in an exciting series opener Sunday night.
Veteran Sarah Pauly (8-3) faced off against rookie Andi Williamson (6-2) in the circle, and the Pride jumped out to an early lead in the first inning after Caitlin Lowe scored on a single from Andrea Duran, Kelly Kretschman scored on a wild pitch and GiOnna DiSalvatore and Duran came in on a double by Nikia Williams. The Pride struck again when Natasha Watley, who went an impressive 3 for 4 on the night, crossed the plate on a sacrifice bunt from Kretschman in the fourth.
Pauly threw a no-hitter through five innings, but it was all downhill for the pitcher after that; Chicago scored five runs on as many hits from Megan Wiggins, Nerissa Myers, Alisa Goler, Tammy Williams and Eri Yamada. USSSA’s Jordan Taylor came in in relief, getting the Pride out of a bases-loaded jam.
The Pride fought back in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run double to left field from Kelly Kretschman, putting the Pride up 7-5. Taylor retired the side in the seventh, earning the win and improving her record to 2-1.
Chicago now sits just two and a half games ahead of the Pride in the NPF standings.
The two teams face off again Monday night at Osceola County Stadium. Coverage begins at 7:05 p.m. on USSSALive.com
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 News!