Viera, FL – The fireworks on the Brevard County coast were not the only thing to light up the night, as the USSSA (15-2) sparked up in an extraordinary win over the Scrapyard Dawgs (9-10). Maintaining the first spot in the NPF standings, the Pride added another win under their belt by defeating the Texas-based lineup 1-0.
In the box, the Pride collectively recorded six total hits in eight innings. The 2016 Triple Crown Winner Kelly Kretschman led the USSSA firepower, ending the night with a 2-for-3 performance.
In the circle, Kelsey Nunley (5-0) and Angel Bunner (0-0, 1) combined to seal the 15th seasonal win. Nunley collected four strikeouts and four hits in six innings pitched, while Bunner earned her first seasonal save striking out one and allowing no hits in two innings pitched.
As first, second, and third went blank for both dugouts with Nunley and Morgan Melloh shutting down the opposite line ups, the Pride reached base in the bottom of the fourth when Sierra Romero flared a double to deep left center. Next, the 2015 Rookie of the Year Shelby Pendley pushed Romero to third with a fly ball to right field but the Michigan alumnus was left wandering on base, as the Pride ended the frame scoreless.
Entering the bottom of the fifth with a clear scoreboard, Gionna DiSalvatore brought USSSA on base once more with a single to left field, but Melloh again ceased the Pride’s offensive efforts, as the former Bruin was left stranded at first.
In the sixth, Brittany Cervantes led the Scrapyard fight by snatching one hit and reaching second on a sac bunt by Alexis Bennet. With a runner at second, the 2014 NPF Player of the Year Andrea Duran performed an extraordinary catch, lunging high to catch May Whitley’s line drive. The elite out ended the Dawgs offensive frame, leaving them empty-handed headed into the bottom of the sixth.
After a scoreless seventh, the teams entered into extra innings where the intensity of the game was heightened. In the bottom of the eighth, Hallie Wilson gave the Red White and Blue hope after she punched a single through the right side. With runners occupying first and second base, the Dawgs fell short of an easy out due to an error by the first baseman that allowed Wilson to round third and head home for the winning run off a walk-off hit by Sierra Romero.
The Pride will be back in action tomorrow, facing the Scrapyard Dawgs for Game 2 of the series. Dugouts will line up at 8:05 p.m. ET.
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 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF):
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2004, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in fastpitch softball beyond their collegiate and amateur success. The NPF affiliate teams consist of the Akron Racers, Beijing Shougang Eagles, Chicago Bandits, Scrap Yard Dawgs, Texas Charge and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2017 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the United States, Australia, Canada and China among which are the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
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.
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