As it turned out, this was a duel between college roommates: Michelle Gascoigne 4-1 1.94 ERA eighth in the NPF of the Chicago Bandits vs Keilani Ricketts 4-1 1.53 ERA sixth in the NPF of the USSSA Pride (Orlando). It began like nobody was ever going to get a hit.
Then, in the top of the third, a second-string catcher, a rookie from Idaho State, got her first hit in her pro career, a home run. The next hitter got an infield hit. Then, there were two errors and another infield hit, and Chicago had a 3-0 lead. Only the home run was an earned run. But, it looked like that three run lead would be more than enough. Just two weeks ago, Michelle had shut out the Pride on a two-hitter in Chicago.
With one out in the top of the fifth, the Pride got two ground ball singles. After another out, the Pride got two line drive singles, and it was 3-2. Then, Wiggins, who had been traded from Chicago after last year, hit a three-run home run. Michelle went from sailing along to down 5-3 in six hitters.. Keilani didn't allow another runner, and was relieved by the Pride's closer in the seventh.
Shelby was 0 for 3, and Lauren didn't play..