Lawrie Strikes Out Nine, Charters Records Three RBIs in USSSA Pride Win

By Athletic Communications on July 16, 2012 10:21 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

News release from USSSAPride.com:

The USSSA Pride players kicked off their return to Kissimmee in grand style, beating up the Chicago Bandits 17-2. The Pride (12-10) scored more runs in the game than any other this season, and scored runs in nearly every inning against the Bandits (15-8).

The Bandits struggled with pitching all night, starting with the first inning. Bandits pitcher Michelle Moses (0-3) walked three batters and allowed five runs in the first inning, two of which came on bases-loaded walks. Moses failed to record an out and was replaced by Meagan Denny-White (2-2) before the end of the first. Denny-White went on to pitch three innings, allowing four more runs and three more walks before being replaced by recent signee Chanda Bell (0-0).

In all, Pride players were walked 10 times and were hit by pitches four times, putting them in excellent offensive position for most of the game.

Three Pride players, Kelly Kretschman, Ashley Charters and Kelly Bruder, had three RBIs each, and 11 of the 15 players in the game scored at least one run, making in at all-around great offensive performance for the team.

Any attempts by the Bandits to make a comeback were halted by strong defensive plays by the Pride. The most exciting defensive play of the night came at the top of the third inning, after the Bandits seemed poised to rally. Following a two-out RBI double by Alisa Goler, Pride outfielder Jessica Mendoza made a spectacular diving catch in left field to end the inning.

Pride pitcher Danielle Lawrie (4-2) struck out nine and allowed only one run and seven hits in her start.

With the win, the Pride move to 2.5 games behind the Bandits in the 2012 NPF standings. The Pride and Bandits finish up the series Monday night at 7:05 p.m. at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.