WPCNR PRESS BOX. From National Pro Fastpitch and Joe Adlman, New England Riptide. August 21, 2005, updated 4:30 P.M. E.D.T.: The New York Juggernaut clinched the fourth and final playoff berth in the National Pro Fastpitch playoffs beginning next Saturday in Lisle, Illinois with a 5-2 victory over their rivals, the New England Riptide Saturday night before packed stands in Lowell, Massachussetts. Peaches James relieved Jody Cox in the second inning and held off the Riptide the rest of the way, with Leah Nelson knocking in two runs for the Nauts on a two-run homer. The Nauts face the regular season champion Chicago Bandits at 6 PM next Saturday evening in the single elimination Pro Fastpitch playoffs on the campus of Benedictine University outside of Chicago.
PEACHES JAMES CLINCHES THE PLAYOFF SPOT. Photo, Courtesy NY Juggernaut.
The Juggernaut had to win Saturday night, due to Arizona's 10-0 win over the Bandits Saturday afternoon. The Nauts finish with a record of 31-14, nosing out the Arizona Heat at 31-15 by a half game, despite rough sledding down the stretch. The Akron Racers, second place finishers play the Texas Thunder in the other playoff tilt. Action will be televised on ESPN. Information on playoff telecasts and the NPF All-Star game is available at www.profastpitch.com.
The New England Riptide lost their season finale in front of a packed house at Martin Softball Field despite outhitting the Nauts, 9-7. The Nauts managed five of their hits in the fourth inning including a huge two run homerun by Leah Nelson. The Tide jumped on New York starter Peaches James often, but were unable to get the key hits when it counted and in the sixth, with runners at first and third, ran themselves out of the inning on a botched double steal attempt. Eight of the nine starters reached base for the Tide and Kellie Wilkerson and Rachael McGinnis each tallied two hits.
