WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Joe Adleman, New England Riptide. August 18, 2005: The New England Riptide committed three errors in the first three innings of play at Martin Softball Field in Lowell, Massachussetts last night, but with the help of gutsy pitching by Tammy Nielsen, the New York Juggernaut were unable to take advantage of these miscues. The string of sloppiness caught up with the Riptide in the fifth, however as Nielsen committed her second error of the night leading to an unerarned Juggernaut run, the only run scored by either team as the Nauts prevailed 1-0.
Most fans at Martin Softball Field would not have called this one an error though, as Nielsen fielded a one out sac bunt attempt by Natasha Watley. Nielsen threw the ball low to Kellie Wilkerson at first who made a nice stretch to make what should have been the second out.
However first base umpire Pete Musgofian, standing behind Wilkerson ruled that she did not have control of the ball and ruled Watley safe. Boos that could be heard in Boston did not convince Musgofian to change his call and after Carri Leto's single, Trena Peel lofted a fly ball to Jen Scavone in center, just deep enough to score Jackie Pasquerella from third which Amanda Scott made stand up.
The Riptide did squander their own offensive challenges. In the third Lyndsey Angus (2 for 3) and Stephanie Best hit consecutive singles, but Angus turned too wide at second and got picked off. The fifth gave the Tide even a better chance as they loaded the bases courtesy of Sarah Andersen's double, a Lisa Iancin walk and Jess Allister being hit by a pitch. With one out, Ashley Courtney tried squeezing in pinch runner Kristine Botto but she was called out on a close (but not controversial) play. Wilkerson then grounded out to end the Riptide's final threat. Amanda Scott, pitching coach, recently activated and put into the starting rotation, picked up the win for New York pitching a complete game shutout while Nielsen took the tough luck loss.
AMANDA SCOTT. Back in the Saddle Again. Photo, Courtesy, NY Juggernaut.
The teams play Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Martin Softball Field at 7:05 as they wind up their season. The Juggernaut win moved them into a flat-footed tie with the Arizona Heat for the fourth and final playoff slot in the National Pro Fastpitch standings.
NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS. AUGUST 18, 2005
w L PCT. GAMES BEHIND
CHICAGO BANDITS 38 6 .864 -----
AKRON RACERS 35 7 .833 1-1/2
TEXAS THUNDER 32 11 .744 5-1/2
NEW YORK JUGGERNAUT 29 13 .690 8
ARIZONA HEAT 29 13 .690 8
NEW ENGLAND RIPTIDE 24 21 .533 14-1/2
