McKinney, TX, Monday, June 8, 2015 – The Pride got out to an early lead and held off the Charge to capture game three of the four game set 4-3. The Pride took advantage of a rocky start in the circle by the Charge’s Sarah Purvis. Purvis lasted just one and two-third innings, walked two, allowed six hits and 4 earned runs. Australian National Vanessa Stokes relieved Purivs going five and a third scoreless innings. Kaitlyn Richardson, who was two for four with two RBI, gives credit to Vanessa Stokes for keeping the game close: “Stokes has been unbelievable. She’s been on the mound and she’s kinda giving us everything she’s got and I just appreciate that.”
Shelby Pendley, started the game with a full count solo homer run to centerfield. Kelly Kretschman singled followed by a Madison Shipman fly out to Angie “Q” Quiocho in left. Kretschman stole second and Andrea Duran drove her in with a single to left staking the Pride to a 2-0. Two Pride popups brought the Charge to the plate.
Renada Davis earned a lead-off walk then advance to second on Ashley Burkhardt’s sacrifice bunt. Pendley, covering first on the play was ruled off the base and Burkhardt was safe. Danielle Henderson popped out to center, Nicole Morgan walked to load the bases, and Richardson singled to score Davis. Indecision at third led to Ashley Burkhardt being get caught in a rundown between third and home and the second out. Nadia Taylor pop out would end the inning.
The Pride came out in the second inning looking to respond. Chelsea Goodacre hit a lead-off single to right field followed by a pair of outs. Pendley and Kretschman would walk to load the bases and Shipman hit a ball just out of Henderson’s reach at third base to score another runner. Duran would follow with an infield RBI single to push the Pride lead to 4-1 and end the night for Purvis. The fearless Stokes induced a dribbler back to the circle from the NCAA All-Time home run leader Lauren Chamberlain to end the threat.
In the Charge third Henderson walked and Morgan singled to left. Richardson came through hitting an RBI double into left center scoring Henderson. A throwing error by Madison Shipman allowed Morgan to come home, pulling the Charge within one, 4-3. A groundout, lineout and popup would end the inning and the scoring.
Both teams would threaten in the final four innings, but neither team could cash in.
After going 2 for 4 on the night with 2 RBIs, Richardson was named Dallas Charge Player of the Game and gave credit to the rest of her teammates by saying “Obviously it felt great [to be player of the game], but honestly, I couldn’t do it without the girls getting on base for me to hit in. You know, we say a different hero a different day and it just so happened to be me today, but who knows who it’s going to be tomorrow or the next day? We’ve had players put together great games all week.”
The final game of the home-stand for the Charge will be Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch. If you are unable to make it to the game, be sure to tune in on CBS Sports, listen online at BGC Sports.com or catch live stats 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.