Jul 18, 2015 3 min read

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Entering a home series against Dallas Charge earlier this week, the Rebellion held a 3-9 record in one-run games. Whether it was allowing an opponent to rally for a late win or a costly slow start, manager Craig Montvidas saw his young players struggle in close games.

After earning a home series win over the Charge, which included three one-run victories, Montvidas hoped the Rebellion’s bad luck was far behind them.

For at least one night, he got his wish.

Pennsylvania rallied from a two-run deficit with four runs in the sixth inning and addded two in the seventh to defeat pitcher Keilani Ricketts and the USSSA Pride, 6-3, in front of a large crowd at Champion Stadium in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It is the Rebellion’s first win over the Pride this season, and just their fifth in 26 tries against the National Pro Fastpitch league’s marquee franchise.

Trailing by two runs and struggling to generate much against Ricketts (5-2), first baseman Alisa Goler got the Rebellion (9-24) started in the top of the sixth inning with a double after a 10-pitch at-bat. Pinch-runner Sarah Prezioso entered for Goler and advanced to third when catcher Kristyn Sandberg singled. Olivia Watkins ran for Sandberg, and Montvidas called for the double steal. Watkins took off for second base. Pride catcher Chelsea Goodacre threw to second and Prezioso sprinted for home, scoring easily to cut the deficit to one.

Brittney Lindley walked and Watkins scored to tie the score when pinch-hitter Samie Garcia reached first on an error.

Center fielder Courtney Senas hit an RBI double to left field to give Pennsylvania the lead and Cheyenne Cordes made it 4-2 when her fielder’s choice allowed Garcia to score.

Rebellion pitcher Haylie Wagner (2-3), who earned the win, by striking out one and inducing 10 groundball outs, shut USSSA down in the sixth inning and Sandberg hit a two-run homer in the seventh to give PA two insurance runs they would need. The Pride’s Andrea Duran hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning and was sacrificed to second before scoring on a two-out RBI single by Megan Wiggins. Wagner walked a batter and was relieved by Emily Weiman, who got Shelby Pendley to ground out to end the game.

Though the Rebellion were able to reach base early against Ricketts, they stranded five runners in the first three innings, including the bases loaded in the third inning.

The Pride (23-8), who still sit atop the NPF standings, took the lead in the second inning when rookie first baseman Lauren Chamberlain hit an RBI single. After Ricketts escaped the bases-loaded jam, right fielder Kelly Kretschman delivered an RBI double for a 2-0 lead, but the sixth inning cost the Rebellion.