Pride Win Game Two of Cleveland Series

VIERA, FL. (July 24, 2018) – The second game of the series against the Cleveland Comets was delayed two hours due to lightning in the area. The game began at 9:00 p.m. EST.

Even with the two-hour delay, the USSSA Pride were still able to clench the victory.

Keilani Ricketts started in the circle for the Pride and threw five complete innings and earned the win, striking out nine of the Comet batters and only allowing two hits.

Paige Parker came in to close the game out for the Pride. Parker pitched two innings, struck out two and allowed two hits.

Ricketts was named the Vaultz Lock It Up Player of the Game for her impressive nine strike outs during her time in the circle.

The Pride started off the scoring in bottom of the first with an inside the park homerun by Kirsti Merritt.

It was a triple with an error on the throw to third base by the Comet’s right fielder that allowed Merritt to reach home.

Merritt scored the first run for the Pride and Sahvanna Jaquish scored the second with a solo shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the third.

Also, in the bottom of the third with the bases loaded Merritt scored and RBI for herself as she hit in Hallie Wilson from third base.

Lauren Chamberlain then stepped up to the plate and hit a hard ground ball to Jenna Lilley at third base for the Comets and with an error on Lilley, Megan Wiggins was able to score to increase the lead 4-0.

In the top of the sixth the comets were able to string a couple hits together and score run, which put them on the board 4-1.

The final score of the game was 4-1 and the Pride improve their overall record to 35-2 on the season.

There was a special guest in the stands during the night’s game as Cat Osterman came out to the Space Coast Stadium to see the facility for the first time and to catch her former pitcher at Texas State, Randi Rupp, throw for the Cleveland Comets.

Wednesday July 25 the Pride take on the Cleveland Comets for game three of the series at 7:05 P.M. ET at the USSSA Space Coast Stadium.

Head down the Space Coast Stadium or tune in tomorrow on ESPN + for the third and final game of the series.

Quick Facts:

Time: 2 hours

Attendance: 221

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 Aussie Spirit, Beijing Shougang Eagles, Chicago Bandits, Cleveland Comets and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2018 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.