Pride Sweep Double Header Against Diamonds

Natasha Watley

USSSA Pride 3, NPF Diamonds 0 Boxscore

USSSA Pride 12, NPF Diamonds 3 Boxscore

 

Viera, FL- The USSSA Pride took both games of a double header on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium. Cat Osterman grabbed her sixth win of the season in Game 1 in a 3-0 win, striking out nine and surrendering one hit, which was to Jami Lobpries in the fifth inning. Morgan Melloh would suffer the loss, yielding 3 runs, while walking seven and striking out four.

The contest remained scoreless in a pitching dual all the way to the sixth inning, Jessica Mendoza led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle. Ashley Charters would come up and walk, putting runners on first and second, which led to a RBI single to left field by Francesca Enea who would be thrown out trying to leg out a double. Samantha Findlay would come to the plate and surprise everyone with a hard bunt down the first base line that went into right field, scoring Charters. After coming in for Findlay to run, Duran would later come around to score on a Natasha Watley single over the shortstops head.

The three Pride runs would be all the scoring that would be seen in Game 1 as the Pride closed out the Diamonds in the seventh, winning 3-0.

In Game 2, the Pride led off the bottom of the first in a big way starting off with a Watley single, but was caught stealing. Jessica Mendoza came up and hit a deep home run to right center. The second run of the inning would later come when after a single by Charlotte Morgan, and two consecutive walks, Morgan would be walked in when the bases were loaded, giving the Pride a 2-0 lead. Melissa would strand the bases loaded and flyout to left field for the 3rd out.

The Diamonds would fire right back in the second, with a two run home run by Angeline Quiocho, scoring Jami Lobpries. The Diamonds third and last run of the game would come in the top of the third when GiOnna DiSalvatore advanced to first on an error which scored Biannca Mejia, giving the Diamonds their first and only lead of the game.

The Pride would silence any hopes the Diamonds had of winning as the game went on, scoring in every inning until the end of the game. Natasha Watley would hit a bases loaded single in the fourth scoring Kretschman and Bruder. Ashley Charters would come up and single scoring Jenn Salling and later Charters would score on a passed ball. The Pride’s lead would extend to 6-3 going into the fourth.

In the fourth, Melissa Roth would come around to score on a Natasha Watley single, extending the Prides lead to 7-3.

Charlotte Morgan would add to the lead in the fifth, blasting a solo home run to left field. Kelly Kretschman would come in to score on a sacrifice fly to center, making the Prides lead 9-3.

After Watley and Charters would score again in the sixth, Jessica Mendoza hit her second home run of the game. This would cap off the scoring from the Pride as in would be the last of the game. The Pride went on to win the game 12-3.

Danielle Spaulding would get the loss in her season debut with the Diamonds, giving up six earned runs, walking eight and striking out one. Danielle Lawrie got the win for the Pride as she settled in after giving up 3 earned runs. She struck out seven and walked three.

The Pride will face the Chicago Bandits at ESPN WIde World of Sports on Thursday, July 21st at 7:05pm. Come out and support your favorite NPF Team. For more information visit dev.usssapride.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!