Kissimmee, FL—July 14, 2016—The USSSA Pride got out to a hot start on Thursday night. They began the game by scoring six runs in the first inning against the Dallas Charge. The Pride scored all six runs before making an out.
Keilani Ricketts is congratulated by her teammates as she reenters the dugout
Keilani Ricketts threw a gem. In her complete game, she allowed just four hits and one earned run while striking out five. Of her seven innings pitched, Ricketts threw 4.2 innings of no-hit softball. Her no-hit bid was blown in the fifth when Kahley Novak pounded a slap hit into the ground in front of home plate.
The six-run first inning took top-notch effort from the entire lineup. Rookie and consistent power-hitter Sierra Romero drove in the game’s first runs with a single to center to drive in Megan Wiggins and Kelly Kretschman. Following an RBI single from Hallie Wilson down the left field line, Ricketts helped her pitching effort by delivering a three-run home run that scored Wilson and Romero. Ricketts’ home run rounded out the first-inning scoring.
The Pride would score again in the fourth. A slap hit single from Courtney Ceo turned into a run after she made her way to third base following a steal and an illegal pitch. Shelby Pendley drove Ceo in with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Ricketts had a shutout going into the sixth. With the sun casting a harsh shadow on the outfield, players were struggling to track the ball effectively. As a result of the blinding sunlight, two hits dropped in the outfield that may have been caught otherwise. A run scored in the sixth, making the score 7-1 and ensuring that the Charge would not be shut out.
The Pride return to action on Saturday, July 16. They’ll return to their true home in Florida as they take on the Chicago Bandits at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at 7:00 PM (ET).
Final Score
Dallas Charge: 1
USSSA Pride: 7
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
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