McKinney, TX - (July 29, 2016) – For the second straight day, the Dallas Charge dropped a double header to the USSSA Pride, losing Friday 3-0 and 5-2.
Game 1
Like Thursday, game one was short on offense, all the scoring coming in the sixth inning for the Pride. A Lauren Chamberlain triple, sacrifice fly and back-to-back homers from Lauren Sweet and Kirsti Merritt accounted for all three runs of the ballgame.
Morgan Melloh got the start and the loss for the Charge going five and two-thirds innings. Melloh allowed three runs on five hits, while striking out four and walking the same number.
Keilani Ricketts went the first five and one-third innings. Ricketts left the game without giving up any runs. She fanned five and walked only one. Jordan Taylor came on in relief and got the win for the Pride, finishing the game with two strikes. She allowed just one hit.
Game 2
In the night cap, the Charge used all their available pitching but Morgan Melloh but couldn’t stop the Pride form pushing five runs across. Chamberlain homered twice in the game.
Australian Vanessa Stokes got the start for Dallas. She went two innings allowing one run, a solo blast by Chamberlain. Cheridan Hawkins took over in the third inning last just two outs. Hawkins surrendered three runs on two hits and a walk. With two outs, Shelby Pendley walked followed by Chamberlain’s second bomb of the contest. Goodacre followed up with one of her own to make the score 4-0.
The Charge answered back in the bottom of the third with a single run driven in by Kylee Lahners.
The Pride collected an unearned run in the fourth inning off of Jill Compton to close out their scoring and stretch the advantage to 5-1.
Kaitlyn Richardson delivered a solo homer for the Charge in the fifth but it was too little and the Charge dropped their fourth game in a row.
Chelsea Thomas picked up the win for the Pride going five and two-thirds innings. The Missouri alum allowed two runs on four hits. She struck out four and walked three. Kelsey Nunley picked up the save.
The Charge fell to 13-25 on the season. The league leading Pride raised their record to 29-10. The Charge will take on the Akron Racers at home on Sunday afternoon.
Game 1 Pride 3 Charge 0 Box Score 7-29-16
Game 2 Pride 5 Charge 2 Box Score 7-29-16
About Dallas Charge
The Dallas Charge, headquartered in McKinney, TX, began competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge 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 (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
Note to Media
Photos and b-roll of players is available. Interviews with the league commissioner are welcomed, and top players from each team are accessible immediately. If you’re interested in pursuing story angles about professional softball for women, please don’t hesitate to contact us.