WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Joe Adleman, New England Riptide. August 16, 2005 (Edited) UPDATED WITH STANDINGS 4:00 P.M. E.D.T. : Lisa Iancin and Sara Jewett each belted her second homerun of the year and Lyndsey Angus had a bases loaded double to lead the New England Riptide to a 6-1 victory over the New York Juggernaut last night at Martin Softball Field in Lowell, Massachussetts Tuesday night.
Jodie Cox and Leigh Ann Ellis battled for two scoreless innings before the Juggernaut broke through in the top of the third. Natasha Watley hit a triple in the left center gap to drive in Heather Scaglione, who had reached on a fielder's choice after Kim Ogee drew a walk.
That gave the Juggernaut a 1-0 lead and it was the only run that Ellis would allow as she scattered three other hits, all singles as she picked up a complete game win, striking out five and walking three. Ellis was aided in the sixth and seventh by excellent Riptide defense turning double plays to end both innings.
The loss dropped the Juggernaut out of 4th place, the last playoff spot, with four to play, a half game behind the Arizona Heat who have been coming on. It was the fourth straight Naut loss, and the Nauts have lost 7 of their last 9 games, their worst slump of the season.
The Riptide took the lead for good in the third when Jess Allister opened the inning with a sharp single to left. Iancin (3 for 4) followed with a single of her own to put runners at first and second. Ashley Courtney struck out, Kellie Wilkerson hit into a fielders choice and Jess Merchant drew her second walk of the evening to load the bases. That set the stage for Angus who doubled deep to right field to clear the bases and give the Tide a 3-1 lead.
That lead grew to 5-1 in the fourth when Jen Scavone led off with a single and scored on Iancin's home run. The Riptide added one more in the sixth on a solo homerun by pinch hitter Jewett off reliever Auburn Signurdson who came in for Cox in the fifth. Cox pitched four complete innings allowing five runs on six hits while striking out four and walking four.
The two teams complete their seasons with four more games on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all games at 7:05 at Martin Softball Field.
National Pro Fastpitch Standings August 17, 2005
W L PCT GB
Chicago Bandits 38 6 .864 ____
Akron Racers 35 7 ,833 2
Texas Thunder 32 11 .744 5-1/2
Arizona Heat 29 13 .690 8
New York Juggernaut 28 13 .683 8-1/2
New England Riptide 24 20 .545 14
