Powerful First Inning Leads Pride Past Beijing 12-0

Viera, FL (July 6, 2017) – USSSA (16-3) ended the home series at the Space Coast Stadium in outstanding fashion, as the Pride throttled past the Beijing Eagles (1-16), 12-0. A six-run first inning lit up the Pride race, confirming with their 16th seasonal win, their absolute domain in the 2017 NPF standings.

In the night, USSSA recorded an impressive 16 hits, four of which were extra bases. Lauren Chamberlain and Hallie Wilson left the field with a perfect score, as they ended the night with a 3-for-3 performance driving in two RBI apiece. Outfielder Kelly Kretschman went 2-for-2 in the box, increasing her total for seasonal hits to 26. Catcher Chelsea Goodacre grabbed two hits and one RBI, while Sierra Romero grasped her 11th seasonal hit that produced two runs for the Pride.

In the circle, Jolene Henderson earned her fourth win for the 2017 Season. With the win, Henderson also claimed her first seasonal shutout, in which the former Cal Bear struck out 10 in seven complete innings pitched.

The Pride jump-started the game in its very first offensive frame, where USSSA exploded into a batting frenzy. After Megan Wiggins was granted with a free base, Kretschman flared a single down the left field line to push Wiggins to third. However, due to a fielder’s choice on Romero’s hit, Wiggins was tagged out at home. With runners at first and second, a passed ball by the Eagles catcher allowed Romero to reach third and Kretschman to score.

Continuing the offensive collaboration, Chamberlain stepped to the plate and drove a single to the left side to allow Romero to cross home plate. With two runs on the scoreboard, USSSA increased its lead by four with a joined effort by Goodacre, Merrit and Wilson.

Entering the second with a 6-0 score, designated player Chamberlain increased the Pride stretch once again, driving in Alex Powers with a double to right center. With bases loaded, Wilson shot a single to left center to put the Pride ahead, 8-0.

In the bottom of the third, Romero went yards, as the Pride second baseman blasted her fifth seasonal home run to enlarge the USSSA lead, 10-0. Romero currently holds the first spot for homeruns within the Pride leaderboard, as well for runners batted in with 16 total.

As the sixth came around, the USSSA clawed another run when Megan Wiggins shot her first triple for the 2017 season and put the Pride atop, 11-0.

In the last frame of the game, the Pride kept Beijing at distance with Henderson shutting down the Shougang bats to fasten the Pride win, 11-0.

Tomorrow the Pride will travel to Miami to face the Texas Charge and the Beijing Eagles in a three-day series hosted at the FIU Softball Complex. USSSA will first face the Charge at 5:05 p.m. EST.

Click here for Box Score

Attendance: 355

Duration: 2 hr 15 min

Vaultz® Lock It Up!® Player of the Game: Jolene Henderson (USSSA 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.

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.

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 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