Jun 7, 2016 4 min read

With an offense sputtering against Houston in this three-game series, the Pennsylvania Rebellion took runs any way they could, even if that meant without hits.

Two Scrap Yard Dawgs pitchers walked in three runs in a seven-run fourth inning as the Rebellion defeated Houston 7-1 to gain a split of a doubleheader Tuesday at Consol Energy Park.

In the first game, Amanda Chidester, a member of the U.S. national team, hit her second home run in as many nights to lead the Scrap Yard Dawgs to a 5-2 victory. The game was the completion of a suspended game from Monday night’s rain-interrupted affair, which was stopped in the bottom of the second with no score.

“We didn’t want to drop the third one,” said Rebellion head coach Craig Montvidas. “We had a little talk between games and I told them we needed a little more energy.”

The Rebellion’s big inning came as a bit of a surprise because they had only scored three runs in the last 20 innings against Houston pitching.

Houston was short on pitching because star Monica Abbott has not arrived from her Japan league team yet and Sara Plourde flew back to be with the Canadian National Team Tuesday morning. So Sara Nevins and Rachel Fox were the only two available arms for the two games.

The Rebellion took advantage in the fourth. Kristyn Sandberg smacked a one-out single to center, only the third hit at the time for the Rebellion in the game. Alisa Goler singled to right and went to second on the throw to third trying to get Sandberg.

That’s when the walks began off Nevins.

Mandy Ogle walked to load the bases. Chaley Brickey walked and so did Whitney Arion, both on four pitches, to make it 2-0. Fox relieved Nevins and she walked Amanda Winkfield to make it 3-0. Lindsey Stephens’ sacrifice fly scored Brickey to make it 4-0 and an infield single by Alexa Peterson brought home Arion. Lexie Elkins drove in two runs with a single to left to make it 7-0.

“She couldn’t find home plate with Google maps,” said Montvidas. “All of a sudden, she lost it. She is one of Team USA’s best pitchers.”

Houston scored a run in the sixth.

In the first game, Chidester sent a two-run home run over the left field fence to give the Scrap Yard Dawgs a 2-0 lead. Chidester hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning of Sunday’s extra-inning game, giving Houston a 3-1 victory.

“I like what they are doing here,” said Chidester. “They handpicked this team. I’m excited to see it grow.”

Chidester’s home run was one of three for Houston and four in the game. Emily Koerner hit a solo shot in the fifth inning to make it a 3-0 game, and Renee Erwin launched a solo blast in the seventh to make it 5-2.

Elkins, the first pick in April’s National Pro Fastpitch draft, hit her second home run of the season, a two-run line drive over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it 4-2.

“I’m starting to feel more comfortable in this league,” said Elkins, who had 73 career home runs at Louisiana-Lafayette. “It’s important for me to spark the offense. I know that if I can’t get it done, my teammates have my back. So there’s no pressure.”

Meanwhile, the Rebellion’s other No. 1 draft choice, Dallas Escobedo, struck out seven but gave up the three home runs and took the loss.