Kissimmee, Fl – The USSSA Pride’s (12-19) bats came to life in game one of a five game series vs. the Rockford Thunder (15-16). The Pride used a seven run second inning to propel themselves to a 9 to 4 victory over the Thunder.
Rockford was able to score first in the top of the second inning. Jenae Leles lead off the inning being hit by a pitch. She advanced to second on Chelsea Spencer’s single, two of four hits she would acquire on the night. Megan Willis then loaded the bases with a single. With two outs Chelsie Mesa would hit a two RBI single to give the Thunder an early lead.
It was not the homecoming former UCF Knight pitcher Allison Kime (3-7) had planned. The Pride would bounce back against her in the bottom of the inning. After completing a one, two, three first inning, Oli Keohohou lead off the 2nd inning with a single. After a Courtney Bures walk, Jessica Dignon singled to left center scoring Keohohou. Shannon Doepking would then execute the squeeze to perfection. Her bunt tied the game at two as it scored Courtney Bures. La Donia Hughes then gave the Pride the lead with a single. A Kelly Kretschman single, and Kristin Schnake walk would load the bases for Amber Jackson. Jackson hit her 6th homerun of the season, the grand slam gave the Pride a 7 to 2 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th the Pride would extend the lead. Hughes lead off the inning singling to right center field, Kelly Kretschman picked up the first of two RBIs on the night with a double to right center field.
The Thunder would cut into the Pride lead in the 5th inning. After Jenna Rhodes lead off the inning reaching on one of four USSSA errors on the night, Shanel Scott would draw a walk off Sarah Pauly (7-6). The walk was one of five on the night for Pauly. Spencer singled to left to score two runs cutting the lead to 8 to 4.
Kretchman would provide the final run of the game in the bottom of the 6th inning. She lead off the inning with her 6th home run of the season. Sarah Pauly completed her twelfth complete game of the season recording eight strikeouts in the win.
Tomorrow night the Pride host US Olympian Cat Osterman who is scheduled to make the start at 7:05 in game two of the series. Tickets are available at
USSSAPride.com along with a live webcast of the game.
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