2016 Season
Pride slug their way through rout of Bandits
Sierra Romero hits a grand slam in 10-0 rout of Chicago Bandits in Ann Arbor, MI. Photo by Sam Janicki of Auburn Athletics Courtesy of National Pro Fastpitch
Kissimmee, FL—June 28, 2016—The first game of the season between the USSSA Pride and the Chicago Bandits looked to be a pitchers duel early in the game. That changed in the sixth inning after the Pride sent three hits over the fence to take a 10-0 lead and solidify their fourteenth win of the season.
Pride starting pitcher Jordan Taylor had a good showing for her former home field in Ann Arbor. She allowed no hits in three innings pitched, delivering five strikeouts in 11 batters faced. Taylor and Keilani Ricketts split the game, shutting out the Bandits.
The Pride were held scoreless until the fifth inning when Kelly Kretschman dropped a two-run bomb into the right-center field bleachers.
The rest of the team not to be out-done, the Pride score eight runs hit three more homers in the sixth inning. Pinch-hitter Lauren Chamberlain did her job and sent a home run over the center field fence to drive in two runs.
The bases were later loaded for former Michigan star Sierra Romero. Not about to disappoint the home crowd, Romero delivered a grand slam that dropped just over the right field fence, making the score 9-0.
Just when fans thought the scoring was done, Jessica Garcia delivered a homer of her own. Two betters after Romero delivered her grand slam, Garcia sent her hit over the left field fence to round out the scoring at 10-0.
Shelby Pendley once again showed highlight-reel material, making some out-saving plays at shortstop to ensure the Pride shutout.
The Pride finish the series at Michigan tomorrow. First pitch is set for 8:00 PM (ET).
Final Score:
Chicago Bandits: 0
USSSA Pride: 10
Follow the Pride!
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: 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.
About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball