Kissimmee, Fla. – The threat of rain didn’t stop the USSSA Florida Pride from taking to the field tonight at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for game two of a four game series against the Tennessee Diamonds. After a 5-4 victory in game one, the Pride extended their winning streak with a 3-0 shutout over the visiting team.
Starting in the circle for the Pride was Katie Burkhart who recorded the win, allowing only three hits on the contest and striking out eight.
Becca Heteniak shouldered the loss for the Diamonds, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out only two.
The Pride scored first in the bottom of the second. A double from rookie Charlotte Morgan was followed by a double from Megan Willis, driving Morgan home. Francesca Enea reached next on a single, putting runners on the corners, but the pair was left stranded after two outs from Jessica Williams and Kristin Schnake.
The Pride added another run to the board in the bottom of the third when Morgan reached on a fielder’s choice, pushing Amber Flores, who had reached on a double, across the plate.
The Pride struck again in the bottom of the fifth. Spencer’s third error of the game allowed Willis to reach and drive in a run from Tonya Callahan who had reached on a fielder’s choice, leaving runners on the corners and the Pride in a position to score again. A pop-fly to third from Karle Hubbard retired the inning.
The Diamonds were looking for a come-back in the bottom of the seventh when designated player Megan Gibson stepped to the plate with one on and one out. A line drive to foul territory was brilliantly fielded by Morgan at first who then dove to tag out pinch runner Amanda Williams heading back to first in an unassisted double play to end the game.
Game three of the series will take place tomorrow night with the start time slated for 7:05 pm.
The USSSA Florida Pride joined the NPF as a franchise Team in November of 2009, operated by Florida Pride LLC. USSSA managed the Pride Team during 2009, culminating their inaugural season with a second place finish in the Championship Series. USSSA Florida Pride is sponsored by USSSA, the world’s largest amateur sports association, and is headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida.
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!
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