WPNCR PRESS BOX Special to WPCNR from Shannon Logan, NY Juggernauts. June 26, 2005: After a come from behind win last night, the Nauts dropped game four of the series to the Chinese National Team, 5-2. The Chinese were led by Xin Minhong and Zhang Lifang, both going 3-for-4 on the day and scoring decisive runs in the victory. The New York Juggernaut fall to 13-3, now third place in the National Pro Fastpitch league, as Jodie Cox picks up her first loss of the season. Nine hits were not enough for the New York club, who were led offensively by second baseman Carri Leto, 3-for-4, and catcher Ryan Realmuto, 1-for-3, 2 RBI on the day.
China jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. An error by third baseman Jackie Pasquerella put Jiang Xin on for China with one out. Xin then stole second base before Xin Minhong doubled down the right field line. Zhang Lifang singled to shortstop Natasha Watley to load the bases for the Chinese National Team. With two outs and three runners on, Cox walked Miao Ruiying to give China the 1-0 lead.
New York came back in the bottom of the third, as Watley and Leto hit back-to-back singles to start up the rally. After a Leah Nelson strikeout, Taylor hit a line drive single to center field to load the bases. With no outs, Realmuto took ball four to earn her first RBI on the day. Jodie Cox took her turn at bat, and with two outs, ripped a pitch to the shortstop who made a fantastic catch and doubled up Leto at third base.
China and New York both scored a run of their own in the sixth inning. Looking to break the tie, China’s third baseman Xin Minhong led off the inning with a solo home run to deep center. In the bottom half of the sixth inning, catcher Realmuto hit a solo home run of her own to left field to tie the game at two. Realmuto’s homer was her team leading fourth on the year, as she tallied her 13th RBI of the season.
As the game went into extra innings, China’s offense overpowered Cox and the Nauts to eventually win the game. China scored three runs off of four hits and one Juggernaut error.
The Nauts take on NPF rival Texas Thunder Thursday 6/30 at 7:00 p.m., Friday 7/1 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday 7/2 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 7/3 at 1:00 p.m. For tickets or more information on the NY Juggernaut, please call 516-485-0141 or visit the Juggernaut online at www.nynjjuggernaut.com.
FINAL SCORE
Score by Innings R H E
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Chinese National Team…... 100 001 03 - 5 12 0
NY Juggernaut……….....….001 001 00 - 2 9 2
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WP -Yu Huili
LP – Jodie Cox (7-1)
