Congrats to the Rockford Thunder

August 23, 2009 - AKRON, Ohio - The Rockford Thunder captured their first Cowles Cup at Firestone Stadium on Sunday afternoon crowning them the 2009 NPF champions as they defeated the USSSA Pride 2-0 in the final game of the season. Rockford climbed back from a 1-0 deficit and near elimination to win both of their series on the weekend and become champions.

Cat Osterman led the way with her second complete game shut out of the day only allowing the Pride to have one single and a walk on the day. Between the two games on Sunday, Osterman struck out an amazing 26 batters and only gave up four hits. For the tournament, Osterman struck out 50 batters in 31 innings in five starts, pitching 31 of her team's 41 innings.

The only player to get on for the Pride in game three was Oli Keohohou who drew a walk and hit an infield single that bounced off of Osterman's glove in the fifth inning.

The Thunder picked up enough offense for Osterman against tough pitching by Sarah Pauly and Monica Abbott. Leadoff hitter Shanel Scott got Rockford going right away with a hit to left field jsut past a diving Kristin Schnake. Scott would eventually score on a sacrifice bunt by Lyndsey Angus to give Rockford a 1-0 lead. For good measure, Chelsea Spencer added another run when she blasted a towering shot that soared over the center field fence for a solo home run.

The home run would be the last pitch Pauly threw as the Pride turned to Abbott, who shut down Rockford's offense the rest of the way. Abbott gave up a single to the first hitter she faced, but then retired 12 of the next 13 hitters to close out the game. Even though Abbott kept the Pride close, Osterman wouldn't allow the Pride offense an opportunity to get back in the game.

Following the game Osterman was announced as the MVP of the NPF Championship weekend after picking up all of her team's victories. The Thunder ace allowed only gave up an astonishing two runs, one earned, in her five starts of the tournament.

Bandits spoil USSSA Pride homecoming

Bandits spoil Pride homecoming

06/24/2009 8:51 PM

By Andrew Phillips, Dir. Media Relations Kissimmee, Fla. – With Jennie Finch and Kristie Fox on base in the top of the second, Bandits outfielder Nicole Trimboli stepped up to bat against USSSA Pride pitcher Monica Abbott. Trimboli got the better of Abbott, blasting a 3-run home run over the left field fence to give the Bandits a 4-0 lead. The USSSA Pride (3-8) would go on to score two runs of their own, but could not close the gap, falling 4-2 to the first place Chicago Bandits (12-3). The Bandits tapped Abbott for all four of their runs in the top of the second. Bandits’ third baseman Stacy May opened the second with a double. Finch followed May with an RBI single to give the Bandits a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Trimboli added three more runs to the scoreboard with her three RBI blast. The Pride came back in the bottom of the 2nd to score their only two runs of the night after Amber Jackson reached base after being hit by a Finch pitch. Oli Keohohou then blasted her second home run of the season to bring the score to 4-2. The Pride’s best opportunity to take the lead came in the third. Rookie Kristin Schnake started the threat with a single and was followed by a pair of walks to load the bases for Keohohou. Bandits’ pitcher Finch was able to get out the jam by getting a ground out to end the inning. It was another great night for Jenny Finch (3-0) as she allowed only two hits, and recorded six strikeouts. Monica Abbott (1-2) recorded her second loss of the season for the USSSA Pride, while giving up four runs on seven hits.