McKinney, Texas, Thursday, June 18, 2015 – After bad weather pushed Game 1 of a three game series against the Rebellion from Wednesday evening to Thursday afternoon, the Charge and Rebellion split a doubleheader at Dallas Charge field. The Rebellion topped the Charge 3-2 followed by a pitcher’s duel that would end in eight innings with the Charge’s first ever franchise walk-off win 1-0.
In game one, the Rebellion took the lead in the second inning when Alexa Peterson was driven in by a Virginie Anneveld single. Peterson walked, stole second, and then came home when Anneveld’s single was mishandled in centerfield. The Rebellion left two stranded in the frame, but would score again in the top of the fourth. Peterson led off with a double to right. Victoria Hayward who came in to run for Peterson was moved to third on an Anneveld sacrifice bunt. Mandy Ogle hit a sacrifice fly to left field bringing Hayward in and making the lead 2-0.
The Charge scored in the bottom of the fifth when pinch hitter Nadia Taylor reached on a single to left field. Mikey Kenney would return to run and advance to second base with a Kaylyn Castillo sac bunt. Angie “Q” Quiocho reached base on a fielder’s choice where Kenney was thrown out going to third. Following a Renada Davis walk, Eri Yamada laced an RBI single cutting the Rebellion lead in half making the score 2-1.
Looking to add insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning, Samie Garcia drew a 1 out walk for the Rebellion followed by a booming line drive triple to the centerfield wall scoring Garcia and putting the Rebellion up 3-1. The frame would end with two strikeouts. With a last chance at a rally, the Charge sent in Kaitlyn Richardson to hit for Kenney. Richardson would score after a Castillo sac bunt advanced her to second followed by a passed ball advancing her to third. Davis delivered an RBI double once again cutting the Rebellions lead to just 1 run, but the rest of the lineup would not be able to capitalize. The Charge fell 3-2. Morgan Melloh would suffer the loss for the Charge.
The night cap pitted the Rebellion’s Dallas Escobedo against the Charge’s Jolene Henderson. Through seven innings, five runners would be stranded for the Charge and three for the Rebellion. Both offenses were stymied by the pitching and defense. Notable defensive plays in regular innings for the Charge would come in the third inning with a 6-3 double play to end the frame and then again in the fourth when Taylor Thom made an tremendous diving catch for the third out.
In the eighth inning, the game went into International Tie Breaker. Anneveld started at second base for the Rebellion. Yuri Masuyama slap a ball to Charge third baseman, Danielle Henderson, who looked Annevel back then threw onto to first. Anneveld broke for third where the return throw cut her down for out number one. Masuyama was ruled safe at first. A sac bunt and ground out would bring the Charge to the plate with a chance to win. Charge catcher, Kazuki Watanabe started at second. A Renada Davis sac bunt moved Watanabe to third. Intentional walks to Yamada and Kaitlyn Richardson loaded the bases for Lauren Haeger. The designated player, who said “well, that hasn’t happened before” referring to the walks to get to her, drew a five-pitch walk-off walk to secure a 1-0 win.
Jolene Henderson was the star for the Charge. In her second NPF start she pitched her second complete game and her first shutout. She struck out five and gave up four hits. Jolene credited her defense by saying “The team really stepped up, it’s like defensively every person on that field was player of the game. They were so clutch every single inning.” Henderson’s younger sister and third baseman Danielle Henderson says “We are looking good, we are really meshing and expect us to come out hitting a lot better” in regards to Friday’s rubber match in game 3 of the series.
The Charge will host the Rebellion one final time in McKinney on Friday, June 19, 2015 with first pitch set at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 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.