Allentown, PA (June 24, 2016) – Over 3,700 fans packed Coca-Cola Park Friday to watch the Pennsylvania Rebellion and the USSSA Pride play the second game in as many nights from Allentown, PA. It took extras, but the Pride outlasted the Rebellion, 4-3, in 8 innings to sweep the two-game series.
The Pride wasted no time jumping out in front when Shortstop Shelby Pendley hammered her 4th homer of the season in the top of the 1st. The solo shot gave the Pride a 1-0 lead.
The Rebellion responded immediately in the bottom of the 1st inning on a two-out RBI single from Rookie Right Fielder Lexie Elkins, and the game was tied at 1-1.
The Pride came right back in the top of the 2nd with another solo shot, this time off the bat of the Designated Player Lauren Chamberlain. Her first home run of the season regained the lead for the USSSA, 2-1.
The Pride would add to the advantage in the top of the 3rd. Rookie Second Baseman Sierra Romero singled home Right Fielder Kelly Kretschman, who stole 2nd to get into scoring position, and the score was 3-1 Pride.
The Rebellion battled back once again in the bottom of the 3rd. After Second Baseman Kayla Winkfield and Third Baseman Stacey Porter reached consecutively from errors by Sierra Romero at 2nd to start the inning, the Rebellion were in business. A fielder’s choice from First Baseman Alisa Goler scored the first run of the inning. It was followed by an RBI groundout by Catcher Kristyn Sandberg a few batters later, and the game was knotted at 3-3.
The Pride threatened in the 5th and were able to load the bases with only one out. Rebellion Pitcher Emily Weiman danced out of trouble, though, by getting Missy Taukeiaho to ground one right back to the circle, which started an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.
A few minor scoring threats the rest of the way were not enough to decide anything and the game went to extra innings.
In the top of the 8th, Left Fielder Kirsti Merritt was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and came across to score the go-ahead run when First Baseman Hallie Wilson singled to center field. For the game-winning RBI, Hallie Wilson was named the Powerhandz Player of the game.
Pride Pitcher Jordan Taylor entered in the 8th and set down the Rebellion in order to pick up the save, and finished off the victory for USSSA.
The PA Rebellion (7-13) will have a few days off before hitting the road on Tuesday for a pair of games in Ohio with the Akron Racers. For the USSSA Pride (10-3), they are back in action tomorrow evening in Akron against the Racers. As always you can catch all the action on NPFTV at profastpitch.com.
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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.
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 the Pennsylvania Rebellion
The Rebellion is a professional women’s softball team competing as part of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). In their third season in the league, the Rebellion will play head-to-head against the most talented players in the sport. Games are broadcast nationally and draw local fans of all ages to experience the action live. NPF is an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball. For more information about the Pennsylvania Rebellion, please visit www.pennsylvaniarebellion.com or call 724-250-9555.
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.
