Parma, Italy-May 4, 2016-The USSSA Florida Pride and Italia Softball ended game two in a 3-3 tie after weather forced the game to end in the fifth inning. Both teams scored two runs in the first inning and one in the third and fourth. Lightning forced the game to suspend and eventually be called in the bottom of the fifth.
Italia, the designated visiting team, scored two runs in the top of the first to take an early 2-0 lead. Leadoff hitter Francesca Concina led off with single off Andi Williamson and moved to second on a sac bunt. One batter later she scored off a single up the middle by Eva Trevisan. Italia scored their second run on a stolen base. The Pride threw out Giulia Longhi at second trying to steal, but Trevisan scored from third on the throw.
In the bottom of the first, the Pride continued their clutch two-out hitting. GiOnna DiSalvatore ripped a two-out single to center field that scored Shelby Pendley and Amanda Kamekona. Pendley had reached with a two-out single to left field and Kamekona via a walk.
Pendley led off the third with a walk, her fourth of the series, and moved to second on a single to left by Kamekona. Two batters later Pendley scored on a single to right field by Lauren Chamberlain to give the Pride a 3-2 lead.
Italia answered in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3. Eva doubled to left field and advanced to third on a sac bunt. She later scored on a wild pitch to the tie game. Lindsay Ziegenhirt singled with one out in the fifth before the game was suspended and eventually called.
Williamson started in the circle for the Pride. She allowed three runs on three hits while striking out five in four innings. Hannah Rogers threw one inning in relief retiring all three hitters she faced.
The Pride ended the game with eight hits from seven different players. DiSalvatore had the only multi hit game going 2-3 with 2 RBIs. She’s now 4-6 in the series with 4 RBIs.
Game three will take place on Wednesday in Parma at 1:00 est. All games are being live streamed on usssalive.com/usssapride and on Facebook. You can also follow the USSSA Pride throughout their trip on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.
This exhibition series in Italy marks the first time a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) team has traveled to another country to play a National Team. The entire Italy trip is an effort by USSSA to help grow the sport of softball internationally.
Game Stats
http://cnc.fibs.it/cnc/softball/2016/IPS/confstat.htm
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 USSSA: USSSA is 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.
About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fast pitch 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 fast pitch softball since 2002 www.profastpitch.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login