Rebellion fail to capitalize in loss
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – As the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series draws closer, the Pennsylvania Rebellion’s playoff hopes continue to shrink
The Rebellion stranded nine runners, including the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning, and could not take advantage of USSSA’s fielding mistakes in a 3-1 loss to the Pride Tuesday night at Champion Stadium in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Pennsylvania (9-27), which sits in fifth place in the five-team league, had the opportunity to gain a game on fourth-place Dallas, which lost to Akron Tuesday night, but the loss has the Rebellion 4 1/2 games out of the fourth and final playoff spot. The Championship Series will be held Aug 14-18 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Ala.
Once again, they could not capitalize on opportunities. Trailing by 3-1 in the seventh inning and facing relief pitcher Jordan Taylor, the Rebellion loaded the bases with three singles by Cheyenne Cordes, Haruna Sakamoto and Alexa Peterson. Taylor struck out Sandberg to end the game and earn her 10th save of the season.
USSSA (25-9) starting pitcher Keilani Ricketts (6-2) carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, but hit two batters and Alisa Goler singled to load the bases before Mandy Ogle grounded out to end the inning.
The Rebellion got their only run in the top of the sixth when Ogle’s single scored Goler, who went 2-for-3, hit a two-out double and advanced to third on an error.
The Pride, who committed two errors, got to Pennsylvania starting pitcher Emily Weiman (1-6) early. Shelby Pendly hit one of her two doubles off Weiman, who gave up seven hits in three innings, to score Kelly Kretschman for a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Andrea Duran and Megan Wiggins drove in USSSA’s other runs.
Haylie Wagner and Dagmar Bloeming combined to throw three scoreless innings for Pennsylvania.