USSSA Pride
USSSA Florida Pride Fall in Final Game of Series against Chicago Bandits
Sarah Pauly
Kissimmee, Fla. – After a devastating double header yesterday in which the USSSA Florida Pride took both losses, the team took to the field again today to face-off against the Chicago Bandits in the final game of the weekend series. They were unable to salvage the victory however, taking the 3-0 loss and ending the series 1-4.
Sarah Pauly started in the circle for the Pride and shouldered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out two. Katie Burkhart came in in relief in the fifth inning and allowed one run on two hits, striking out one.
Jennie Finch pitched a complete game for the Bandits and shut-out the team allowing five hits in seven innings, walking only one and striking out nine.
For the fifth time this series, Chicago struck first, scoring a run in the top of the third on an RBI single from Stacy May, driving Emily Friedman, who had reached on an error, across the plate. The side was retired on an infield pop-fly to shortstop Natasha Watley from Amber Patton.
Chicago scored again an inning later in the top of the fourth on an RBI double from Angela Findlay, scoring Finch who had reached on an error. They then extended their lead by yet another run in the top of the sixth when Emily Friedman led-off at the plate, lacing a solo home-run past the left field gap. Three quick outs retired the side but not before the Bandits secured a three run lead over the home team.
The Pride attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners in scoring position on both second and third, but Finch was able to strikeout pinch hitter Caitlin Lowe to end the game and give the Bandits the 3-0 victory and a 4-1 lead on the series.
The Pride will take to the field again next weekend to take on the Tennessee Diamonds at home in a four game series at the UCF Softball Complex. The first game is scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 5 with game 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!