The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Championship Series hosted in Sulphur, La. began last night with Game 1 between the No. 2 USSSA Florida Pride (1-0) and No. 3 Akron Racers (0-1). Despite a first inning 1-0 lead, the Racers failed to hold on losing Game 1 3-2.

The Racers had 2010 NPF Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Norris (0-1), in the pitcher's circle tonight. Norris pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on four hits in a losing effort. The Pride mixed things up in the pitcher's circle, starting the game with Danielle Lawrie (1-0) recording the win, with help in relief from Sarah Pauly, and Cat Osterman (SV 1) who came in to record the three-out save.

The Racers saw early success with their bats with Jamie Juarez hitting in Lisa Modglin to take an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Taking the slim lead into the bottom of the third, with runners on the corners Florida's Jessica Mendoza hit an opposite field three-run homerun to put the Pride up 3-1 after three innings of play.

On the Mendoza bomb, Akron's Crystl Bustos gave it her all trying to track down the ball and rob Mendoza of the 3 RBI homerun, but barrelled through the outfield fence. Despite a leadoff homerun in the top of the fourth from Akron's Courtney Bures to bring the Pride's lead to only one, the Pride were able to hold on for the Game 1 win, behind outstanding pitching from Sarah Pauly and Cat Osterman.

The Pride look to sweep the three-game series and move onto the Championship round Friday afternoon against the Akron Racers.

 NPF Championship Series

Tournament Schedule

Thursday August 26th

Game 1                                    #2 vs. #3                                  6:00 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive an NPF Collage Poster which represents the Pro Players***
 

Game 2                                    #1 vs. #4                                  8:30 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive a T-shirt from Worth, the Official NPF Supplier of Helmets and Masks***

Friday August 27th

Game 3                                    #1 vs. #4                                  6:00 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive Pink and Black Headbands from Mizuno, an endorser of Jennie Finch***
 

Game 4                                    #2 vs. #3                                  8:30 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive a miniture wooden bat from Louisville Slugger, official supplier of the NPF***

Saturday August 28^th

Game 5"If Necessary"            #1 vs. #4                                  11:00 a.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive a shiny NPF pin!! Get them whlie they last!!***

Game 6 "If Necessary"           #2 vs. #3                                  1:30 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive Pink wristbands from Mizuno! Wear what Jennie Finch wears by receiving this promotional item!***

(If there is only one "If Necessary" game, it will be played at 11:00 a.m.)

Game 7                                    Championship Final                7:00 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive Pink ball from Worth, the Official NPF Supplier of Helmets***
 

Sunday August 29^th

Game 8                                   Championship Final                2:00 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive an NPF Collage Poster which represents the Pro Players***
 

Game 9 "If Necessary"           Championship Final                4:30 p.m.
***FIRST 25 Fans in the game will receive an NPF Collage Poster which represents the Pro Players***
 

• Format is three rounds of "best of 3" Series'. It begins with #1 Seed vs. #4 Seed and #2 Seed vs. #3 Seed. The Winners of those two Series' will play each other in a "best of 3" Championship Final Series to determine the eventual Championship Series Champion.
• All Times are listed as Central Standard Time