AKRON, OH – August 17, 2012 – USSSA Florida Pride’s (29-12) Francesca Enea took the lead from the Akron Racers (14-28) in the top of the fifth inning with a two RBI single.
The Pride would hold on to defeat the Racers by a score of 5-4.
The Racers started the game off strong with two singles hit by Sharonda McDonald and Lisa Modglin. Sam Marder followed that action with a double and after a collision between McDonald and Lauren Lappin at the plate, the Racers scored a run.
The Pride threatened the Racers with two singles by Kelly Kretschman and Francesca Enea in the top of the second. One at-bat later, Tonya Callahan earned one RBI off a single to center field, leaving the score 2-1.
The Racers continued their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after Sarah Pauly walked Taylor Schlopy to first and allowed Kelley Montalvo a double to center field.
Kaylyn Castillo, pinch hitting for Alicia Herron, then entered the batter’s box and hit a line drive single bouncing off third baseman, Tonya Callahan’s glove, earning the Racers another run.
The Pride struck back at full force in the top of the fifth inning, starting with Jamee Juarez’s single. Megan Willis took first base off an error on the Racers. Natasha Watley threatened the Racers with a bunt, getting herself out at first. With a hit towards short stop, Ashley Charters earned one RBI off a single.
Jessica Mendoza continued the inning by loading the bases off an error in right field, smacking a single. Kretschman followed, getting out on a fly ball, making two outs for the Pride.
In the next at-bat, Enea hit a single just past short stop earning two RBI and a single, putting the Pride in the lead, 4-3. Charlotte Morgan finished the inning by scoring one RBI with a double to right field.
The Racers retaliated in the bottom of the sixth inning with Schlopy’s single to right field. Montalvo followed by dropping a bunt. Trying to get Schlopy out at second, the Pride failed, and Montalvo took first with no outs.
Alicia Herron got out on a fly ball, followed by McDonald’s single, to load the bases. Modglin closed in the gap and hit a single to right field earning one RBI, leaving the score 5-4, with the Racers down by one.
The Racers shut out the Pride in the top of the seventh but could not take the victory in the bottom inning, leaving the score 5-4.
Erin Arevalo (1-5) pitched all seven inning for the Racers, allowing five runs on 10 hits, lowering her ERA to 4.98.
For the Pride, Sarah Pauly (8-2) allowed only four runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts, raising her ERA to 2.50.
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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