Photo Courtesy of FastpitchTV
Kissimmee, FL-July 18, 2014–In walk-off fashion, Kelly Kretschman hit a two-out, two-run single up the middle to lead the USSSA Florida Pride past the Chicago Bandits Saturday night at ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex. A packed house full of USSSA Fast Pitch World Series teams watched the pitchers’ duel turned dramatic walk-off win.
The Bandits took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the seventh thanks to a Kristen Butler solo homerun to right center. Bandit pitcher Monica Abbott had a no-hitter until center fielder Caitlin Lowe singled to lead off the seventh. Brigette Del Ponte entered to pinch run for Kristyn Sandberg who was hit by a pitch with one out. After a long at bat, Andrea Duran hit into a fielder’s choice which moved Lowe to third and Del Ponte to second. That set the stage for Kretschman’s game-winning, walk-off single as Del Ponte slid underneath Kaylyn Castillo’s tag at home.
Keilani Ricketts (3-3) picked up her third win of the season as she pitched a complete game allowing one run off of three hits. Ricketts and catcher Megan Willis kept the Bandit hitters off-balance all night forcing 10 groundball and 10 flyball outs. Abbott (5-3) suffered the loss giving up two earned runs on two hits while striking out nine.
The Pride and Bandits return to action for game two of the series Sunday, July 20 at 7:05 PM EDT. For tickets visit www.dev.usssapride.com or purchase tickets at the gate. For fans cheering from home, all of the action can be found online at www.usssalive.com.
Box Score: Click Here
Site: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, FL
Score: Bandits 1, Pride 2
Records: Chicago (17-10), Pride (21-8)
Next Game: Sunday, July 20 at 7:05 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
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