Osterman Slows Charge in Series Opener

June 7, 2015

McKinney, TX, Saturday, June 6, 2015 - Coming off of a high after a series win, the Dallas Charge continued their home-stand on Saturday against the USSSA Pride in McKinney, Texas. After a late rally, the Charge ended up falling to the Pride in game one of a four game series. Assistant Coach Chez Sievers says that the team learned that they “can’t come out flat against a really talented team” and is looking forward to the rest of the series where they look forward to “being more competitive, grittier, and stepping in ready for pitch one.”

Rookie Shelby Pendley and veteran Kelly Kretchman delivered seven of 11 Pride hit barrage. Pendley was 4 for 4, including a homerun. Kretchman hit behind her going 3 for 4 with a deep blast as well.

Dallas Charge starter, Sarah Purvis was in trouble in every inning, but she and the defense kept the Pride off the board for the first two innings. In the third inning, though, the damn broke. Pendley led off with a double. Kretchman reached on an infield single that moved Pendley to third. Madison Shipman popped out and then Andrea Duran walked to load the bases. GiOnna Disalvotre opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield. Pendley came home for the first run of the game. Purvis pushed the second run across the plate with walks to Lauren Chamberlain and Brigette Del Pointe, making the score 2-0 Pride. A groundout to third ended the threat.

In the fourth, the speedy Breja’e Washington started things off with a lead-off walk. Pendley drove her in with a rocket to the right centerfield gap, pushing the lead to three. The shot prompted a pitching change for the Charge, bringing another NPF rookie Bailey Watts. Watts put out the fire, inducing two infield popups and a groundout.

The Charge finally broke up the Cat Osterman perfect game when first year player, Renada Davis reached first on an errant throw. Osterman never missed a beat and set the next three Charge hitters down in order.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the fifth that the Charge bats lit up the scoreboard and collected their first hit of the game. Dallas Charge centerfield rookie Mikey Kenney stroked her first career hit and first career homerun making the score 3-1. It was a towering fly ball that just kept carrying and dropped into the lake beyond the fence. Angeline “Q” Quiocho followed with rocket that was a no-doubter as it went of a fan’s hat in the top row of the left field bleachers before reaching the water. It was Quiocho’s first homerun of the season and pulled the Charge to within one, 3-2.

In the sixth, the Pendley and Kretschman show continued. Pendley walked and scored when Kretschman hit a bomb right down the right field line, making the score 5-2.

The Pride added five more in the top of seventh. Disalvatore homered after a Duran walk. Two walks, a popout and bunt single by Breja’e Washington loaded the bases for Pendley. The 2^nd baseman singled up the middle plating Del Ponte and Chamberlain. Purvis returned to pitch. Rookie Amber Freeman pinch hit for Kretschman and hit a long fly ball to centerfield. Washington tagged and scored from third to close out the scoring.

Mikey Kenney’s homerun to break up the no-hitter earned her Charge Player of the Game. Kenney said “it was great to finally get a solid hit. I think the rest of the games against the Pride may be a little tough, but we know what to expect now so we are excited and ready for tomorrow night.”

The Dallas Charge will continue the series against the USSSA Pride on Sunday at 7 p.m. central at Dallas Charge Stadium at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas where it will be Daddy/Daughter night. You can follow the live video and stats stream at www.dallascharge.com

Box Score

About Dallas Charge

The Dallas Charge will begin competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge will provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Dallas Charge at www.dallascharge.com
About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch is headquarted 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 name of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.