Abbott leads Bandits to 3-1 series victory over Pride

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - July 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Pride: 0

Bandits: 1

Boxscore (http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=142102)

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The final game of the series concluded today in dramatic fashion with a pitching duel featuring Olympians Monica Abbott (4-1, 0.24 ERA) and Cat Osterman (4-1, 0.85 ERA). Abbott and the Bandits ultimately prevailed with a 1-0 victory and took the series three games to one while securing first place in the NPF standings.

The Bandits threatened in the first inning after Eri Yamada and Alisa Goler both singled. Tammy Williams was then walked to load the bases. However, the Bandits failed to convert any runs as Osterman recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Pitching continued to be the dominant factor throughout the second, third, and fourth innings, keeping the game scoreless. Both teams left runners stranded on base as Abbott and Osterman continued to consistently strike out batters.

The Bandits finally broke through and scored in the bottom of the fifth inning. Megan Wiggins was walked and Yamada’s RBI double to left center field allowed her to score, making the score 1-0 heading into the sixth.

The Bandits threatened again in the sixth after a fielder’s choice allowed Patton to get on base, she then stole second but was left stranded.

Abbott struck out three consecutive batters in the top of the seventh to end the game and improve her record to 4-1 this season. She recorded 12 strikeouts on the day, bringing her season total to 50.

Osterman threw 11 strikeouts, improving her season total to 61. Her record now stands at 4-1 this season as well.

The Pride return home to face the NY/NJ Comets in a four game series at Osceola County Stadium starting at 7:05 PM ET Thursday Night.

Notes:

- Attendance today was 1,439
- The Bandits improved to 9-3 on the season, securing first-place in the NPF
- Yamada’s winning RBI was her 12th RBI of the season
- Abbott improved to 4-1 on the season
- Abbott recorded 12 strikeouts, upping her total to 50 on the season
- Abbott won her second 1-0 game of the series

About USSSA Florida Pride (http://www.usssapride.com/):

The USSSA Florida Pride (http://usssapride.com/) is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch (http://profastpitch.com/) League that is owned and operated by USSSA (http://www.usssa.com/). The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF (http://www.profastpitch.com/):

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF (http://www.profastpitch.com/) is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball (http://mlb.mlb.com/) in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA (http://www.usssatoday.com/):

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 News!