Shipman’s Game Winning Double Leads Pride to Victory in the 7th

Shipman's walk-off wins it 5-4
Shipman’s walk-off wins it 5-4

Kissimmee, FL-July 26, 2014- The USSSA Florida Pride win 5-4 with a walk-off, two-run double by Madison Shipman in game one Saturday at ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex in Kissimmee, FL. Trailing 4-2 in the 7th, the Pride scored three runs on five consecutive hits including Shipman’s game-winner.

In the bottom of the seventh, Amanda Kamekona once again came up clutch with a pinch-hit double to center field. The Pride then used speed and small ball to set the stage for Shipman’s double. Courtney Ceo reached on a drag bunt down the first base line. One batter later Natasha Watley slapped a RBI single back to Lisa Norris. After Caitlin Lowe slapped a single to third base, the bases were loaded for Shipman.

“I was looking for a pitch I could drive to the outfield. She threw me a rise ball and I made sure I got on top of it to drive it. I’m happy that I could come up clutch for my team. AK [Kamekona] did a great job of starting us off and I’m glad I could finish it for our team,” said Shipman about her walk-off hit.

The Pride took an early 1-0 lead after Watley led off the first inning with a walk and advanced to third on a Lowe single to shallow left field. Shipman then ripped a line drive to the center fielder allowing Watley to score easily from third.

The Racers took a 2-1 lead in the third after a couple infield singles by Ayumi Karino and Jill Barrett. Karino scored from third after a double steal and Barrett scored on a fielder’s choice groundball by Charlotte Morgan. In the top of the fourth, the Racers added two more runs on an Ashley Thomas two-run homerun to left center that scored Haley Outon who had reached on a single.

Ceo laid down a perfect bunt to lead off the fifth. She came around to score on a wild pitch by Norris. Lowe ended the day going 3-4 and Ceo 2-3. Shipman ended the game with 3 RBIs.

Jordan Taylor (3-3) picked up the win after throwing two scoreless innings. Chelsea Thomas got the start throwing 3.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Olivia Galati threw 1.2 scoreless innings in relief for Thomas allowing zero runs on 2 hits. Norris (2-5) suffered the loss Akron after allowing five earned runs on nine hits. The Pride extended their win streak to six games with the win.

The Pride and Racers return for game two of the doubleheader on Saturday, July 26 at 8:05 PM EDT at ESPN Wide World of Sports. For tickets visit www.dev.usssapride.com or purchase tickets at the gate. The game will be live streamed on www.usssalive.com/usssapride.

Box Score: Click Here

Site: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, FL

Score: Racers 4, Pride 5

Records: Racers (15-20), Pride (26-8)

Next Game: Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 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.