WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Joe Adlman, New England Riptide. August 20, 2005: Jess Merchant's two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted the New England Riptide to a 3-2 come from behind victory over the New York Juggernaut at Martin Softball Field in Lowell, Massachussetts last night. Down 2-1 after allowing a routine fly ball to drop after no one called for it, the inning started with a walk to Kellie Wilkerson immediately followed by Merchant's homerun, her third of the year. Juggernaut starter Amanda Scott then struck out Sarah Andersen looking and was replaced by Jodie Cox who finished the last 2/3 inning.
For the Riptide, Jocelyn Forest pitched a complete game and was masterful mixing drops, changeups and screw balls, keeping the Nauts guessing all night. Forest struck out 12 while allowing three hits and two runs. The run in the sixth was a result of Natasha Watley beating out an infield ground ball, stealing second and coming home on Ryan's Realmuto's outfield popup that fell in. The Juggernaut took a 1-0 lead in the third when Kim Ogee doubled to left center, the ball being cut off by Jen Scavone, but Ogee beating the throw to second. Ogee advanced on an infield out and came home on Carri Leto's sac fly to right.
The Tide got it right back in the bottom of the inning on two hits, both doubles, by Ashley Moore to lead off and Wilkerson with two out.
The two teams play the rubber match of the five game series Saturday night at 7:05 at Martin Softball Field. Pitchers are expected to be Danielle Henderson for the Tide and Peaches James for the Nauts.
The loss prevented the Nauts from clinching the last and final playoff berth in the NPF Championship next weekend in Lisle, Illinois. The Chicago Bandits defeated the Arizona Heat 3-0 in Chicago, so the Nauts retain a 1 game lead over the Heat. Chicago officially finishes first. The Akron Racers second, and the Texas Thunder third.
NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS August 20. 2005
Friday Evening's Scores
New England 3 NY Juggernaut 2
Chicago 3 Arizona 0
Texas 4 Akron 2
