Sugarland TX – August 4, 2015 – Morgan Melloh fired a complete game 4-hit shutout Tuesday night at Constellation Field, lifting the Dallas Charge over the 1st place USSSA Pride 3-0. The southpaw struck out five and walked three. She improved to 2-5 and dropped her ERA to 2.27.
The Charge improved to 16-26, four full games ahead of PA Rebellion for the final spot in the NPF Championship Series in Hoover, Alabama. Both teams have six games remaining in the regular season.
The Charge offense managed three runs on six hits and one costly Pride error. Keilani Ricketts started in the circle for the Pride. The visiting team would get to the tall lefty early. Eri Yamada reached with one out when Ricketts hit her. Veteran Kaylyn Castillo walked and 2015 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Lauren Haeger singled up the middle plating the speedy Yamada and staking the Charge to a rare early 1-0 lead.
In the top of four, the Charge would get a few more. Haeger was hit by pitch. Kahley Novak came in to run for her. A Nadia Taylor sacrifice bunt moved her to two. Nicole Morgan knocked her in with a single up the middle to double the lead. Brianna Cherry reached when she got hit. Kylee Lahners then rolled a ball to second base. The throw eluded Lauren Chamberlain at first allowing Morgan to come around from second to score that last run of the game and give the Charge a 3-0 cushion.
The play of the game was made by Kylee Lahners in left centerfield. Melloh loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with one out. She induced a popup in foul territory to record the second out before facing Amber Freeman. Freeman hammered a 3-1 pitch into the gap. Lahners layed out horizontally to make the grab, robbing Freeman. It was the last time the Pride would mount a serious threat.
The Charge and Pride will have a day off on Wednesday before playing a double header on Thursday at Saint Mary’s University in San Antonion.
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