Pride Defeat Rebellion, Advance to Finals of NPF Championship Series

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Hoover, AL – August 21, 2014 - The USSSA Pride broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fourth, and the combination of Leilani Ricketts and Jordan Taylor shut out the Pennsylvania Rebellion over the last three innings to claim a 3-2 victory, eliminating the Rebellion. The Pride advance to the finals of the NPF Championship Series.

The Pride scored in the bottom of the first. With one out, centerfielder Caitlin Lowe singled to right. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Lowe scored on a RBI double to left-center by shortstop Madison Shipman.

The Pride added to their total in the bottom of the second. Designated player Amanda Kamekona singled to center. Sharonda McDonald came on to pinch run. McDonald stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Rebellion catcher Taylor Edwards. On the first pitch to catcher Megan Willis, the Pride attempted a squeeze; McDonald scored on the play with an error by Rebellion third baseman Jenn Salling, giving the Pride a 2-0 advantage.

The Rebellion got on the scoreboard for the first time in their seven-plus innings against the Pride with a two-out RBI single by shortstop Bianca Mejia, driving in Brittney Lindley in the top of the third. That cut the Pride lead to 2-1. The Rebellion weren’t done, though. They loaded the bases, still with two outs, then Mejia scored on an infield single by second baseman Lauren Lappin, tying the game, 2-2.

The Pride re-gained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, they got back-to-back doubles by first baseman GiOnna DiSalvatore and rightfielder Kelly Kretschman; DiSalvatore scored on the double by Kretschman for a 3-2 Pride lead. The Pride loaded the bases with one out; Angel Brunner, who played collegiately at Auburn University, came on in relief of Rebellion starter Sarah Pauly; Brunner got Willis to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Leilani Ricketts started for the Pride, pitching 5-1/3 innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs. Jordan Taylor came on with one out and a runner on in the sixth; Taylor struck out pinch hitter Angeline Quiocho, then struck out first baseman Briana Hamilton looking to end the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Pride had runners on second and third with one out after DiSalvatore’s second double of the game. Brunner then struck out Kretschman looking and got Kamekona to ground out.

In the top of the seventh, Taylor allowed one hit but no runs to close out the game. Ricketts earned the win, with Taylor getting the save.

DiSalvatore had two of the Pride’s eight hits, and both of those were doubles.

The Pride will face the winner of the series between the Akron Racers and the Chicago Bandits in a best-of-three series starting at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Box Score: Click Here

Site: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium – Hoover, AL

Score: PA Rebellion 2, USSSA Pride 3

Next USSSA Pride Game: Championship Series Finals Game 1 – 8:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM CT

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