WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Joe Adelman, New England Riptide. (Edited) August 19, 2005: The New York Juggernaut won the third game of a five game series with their rivals, the New England Riptide Thursday night by a score of 5-1, Peaches James.
The Naut win combined with Arizona's 2-0 Extra Inning Loss to Chicago, gives the Nauts a 1/2 game edge over the Heat for the fourth and final playoff slot. The Nauts have 2 to play, and so do the Heat. The Nauts win tonight, the Heat can go home.
Riptide starter Leigh Ann Ellis, who held the Juggernaut to one run on two hits to win Tuesday's game got the start last night on one day's rest and was not sharp. Ellis lasted only 2.2 innings and gave up all five runs on four hits and three walks before being relieved by Danielle Henderson. Henderson was perfect giving up no hits for the rest of the game.
Peaches James Finishing Strong. Photo, Courtesy NY Juggernaut.
Juggernaut starter Peaches James started slowly, walking three in the first inning and yielding a single to Stephanie Best to score the lone Riptide run. James allowed only one more hit, with some help from the defense and issued three more walks and a hit batter.
The Juggernaut scored two in the top of the first. Carri Leto started with a walk and Natasha Watley laid down a bunt to Ellis which looked like an out at first, however Ellis misplayed the ball allowing it to slide under the glove. The kind hearted scorekeeper gave Watley a hit as Leto raced around to third. A sac fly by Ryan Realmuto scored Leto when Jess Allister failed to hang on to the perfect throw from Sara Jewett. An error, followed by a Chelsea Spencer single, accounted for the other run. A three run outburst in the third was all the scoring for the game.
The Juggernaut finish their season with games on Friday and Saturday against the Tide at 7:05 at Martin Softball Field in Lowell. The Heat have two games to play, the Nauts two. Should the Nauts win tonight and the Heat lose, the Nauts clinch the fourth and final slot.
The Texas Thunder ended Akron's hopes of overtaking the Chicago Bandits, by whitewashing the Racers, 3-0.
NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS August 19, 2005
Thursday Evening's Scores
New York Juggernaut 5, New England 1
Texas 3, Akron 0
Chicago 2, Arizona 0 (8 Innings)
