Kissimmee, FL-July 26, 2014- The Akron Racers edge the USSSA Florida Pride Saturday night with a 3-2 victory at ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex in Kissimmee, FL. A three-run third inning was the difference maker as the Racers avoided the sweep and ended the Pride’s six-game win streak.
Akron took a 3-0 lead in the third with four hits. Briana Cherry led off the third with a single and Ayumi Karino followed with a single to left field two batters later. Nerissa Myers then hit a two-run single up the middle to score Cherry and Karino. With two-outs, Jessica Garcia hit a RBI single to right field to score Jill Barrett who had reached on a walk.
Amanda Kamekona launched a two-out solo homerun to center field in the bottom of the fourth to make the game 3-1. In the bottom of the sixth, Natasha Watley led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. After Caitlin Lowe singled and moved Watley to third, Madison Shipman ripped a sacrifice fly to center field to score Watley. Megan Willis ended the day going 2-3 with a double while Watley was 2-3 with a run scored.
Keilani Ricketts (4-4) suffered the loss after throwing five innings and giving up three earned runs on four hits. Danielle Lawrie threw two scoreless innings in relief striking out two and giving up two hits. Rachele Fico (8-6) got the win for the Racers going 5.2 innings and allowing one earned run on six hits. Lisa Norris threw the last 1.1 innings for the Racers.
The Pride return to action against the Chicago Bandits on Thursday, July 31 at 8:05 PM EDT at The Ballpark at Rosemont in Rosemont, IL.
Box Score: Click Here
Site: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, FL
Score: Racers 3, Pride 2
Records: Racers (16-20), Pride (26-9)
Next Game: Thursday, July 31 at 8:05 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.