VIERA, FL (July 2, 2018) – It was a lively game here at the USSSA Space Coast Stadium as the Pride took down Beijing Eagles in the first game of the series by a score of 14-0.
This is the second time Beijing and Pride meet up in the 2018 season.
Jolene Henderson got the start and the win in the circle for the Pride. Henderson pitched a complete game and only allowed one hit.
Henderson had a perfect game going until she gave up a hit in the top of the sixth inning.
The bats were on fire for the red, white and blue as they put 16 hits on the board and scored 14.
The Pride started the game off in the bottom of the first with a two-run homerun by Sierra Romero. Pride lead the Eagles 2-0.
Lauren Chamberlain was close to hitting one over the fence but was denied with a great catch by Victoria Draper, Beijing’s left fielder.
Shortly after Shelby Pendley hit in Kirsti Merritt and Nicole DeWitt with a base clearing double and brought the score up 4-0.
In the bottom of the second, Chamberlain was not denied and hit a long ball over center field fence. She hit in herself and Allexis Bennett which put the Pride up 6-0 over the Eagles.
Back to back solo homeruns by S. Pendley and Alex Powers, one over center field and one over right field advanced the score to 8-0 in the bottom of the third.
Bottom of the fourth, Merritt got herself on base and DeWitt hit a double to score Merritt, putting the Pride up 9-0.
S. Pendley then hit a single to score DeWitt from second, score was then 10-0.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Chamberlain remained ready at the plate and blasted one over left field for a solo homerun.
The Pride lead 11-0 over the Eagles until Merritt hit in Chelsea Goodacre to make the score 12-0 in the bottom of the sixth.
Bianka Bell got herself an RBI on the night as she hit in Nicole Pendley, who drew a walk to get on base, giving Pride their 13 run of the game.
To continue the bottom the sixth, Merritt stayed ready at the plate as she hit in Hallie Wilson, who was hit by a pitch to reach base, and scored the 14 and final run for the Pride.
The Pride overall had a successful night at the plate. Merrit went 3-4 with two runs scored and 2 RBIs, Allexis Bennett went 3-3 with two runs scored, S. Pendley went 2-2 with one run scored and three RBIs, and Chamberlain went 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs.
Chamberlain was named the Vaultz Lock It up Player of the Game for her two-homerun night at the plate.
Come out to the USSSA Space Coast Stadium Tuesday, July 3 at 7:05 P.M. EST as the Pride host the second game of the Beijing series and support your United States Military as it will be USSSA’s first Military appreciation night.
Quick Facts
Time: 1hr 57m
Attendance: 4200
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 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 Aussie Spirit, Beijing Shougang Eagles, Chicago Bandits, Cleveland Comets and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2018 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.