WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Kristen Zimmerman. July 20,2004: The NY/NJ Juggernaut (24-14) defeated the California Sunbirds (11-25) 3-0 behind a two-hit shutout by Nauts’ starter Kaci Clark in the second game of Monday’s doubleheader. Clark shut down the Sunbirds, going a full seven innings, giving up no runs on two hits, no walks and 10 strikeouts, after the Sunbirds had taken the opener 2-1, handing Amanda Scott her third straight loss.
Clark would get all the run support she needed in the fourth inning when
designated player Lisa Iancin scored on a double to the left-field fence
by centerfielder Venus Taylor. Second baseman Carri Leto would then add an
insurance run when she scored Taylor with a single down the left field
line. She was then thrown out attempting to advance on the play. Iancin
went 1-for-2 with one run scored and an RBI. Taylor also went 1-for-2 with
a run scored and an RBI.
First baseman Kellie Wilkerson tacked on the Juggernaut’s third and final
run of the game in the sixth inning when she scored on an infield hit by
Iancin. Wilkerson went 1-for-2 with a run scored.
Clark escaped a threat by California in the first inning thanks to
sparkling defensive plays by right fielder Gina Oaks and shortstop Lyndsey
Klein. After a leadoff hit by right fielder Kellyn Tate, Oaks threw
pitcher Kirsten Voak out at first from right field to secure the first out
of the inning. Klein then nailed third baseman Jaime Foutch at first with
a one-hop throw from her knees in the hole for the second out of the
inning and the end of the rally.
Amanda Loses Heartbreaker in Opener.
Despite a 13 strikeout performance by NY/NJ Juggernaut
(23-14) starter Amanda Scott, the California Sunbirds (11-24) defeated the
Nauts 2-1 behind the strong pitching performance of Jodie Cox in game one
of tonight’s doubleheader. Scott pitched seven full innings, giving up two
runs on five hits, three walks, and 13 strikeouts. Cox pitched a complete
game as well, giving up one run on six hits, three walks, and nine
strikeouts.
A two-run fourth inning for the Sunbirds would give Cox all the run
support she would need. Leftfielder Christen Bedwell doubled to center to
score pinch runner Barbara Moody and give the Sunbirds a 1-0 lead.
Following a walk to shortstop Allison Andrade and an infield single by
Cox, a groundball to short off the bat of centerfielder Kim Ogee scored
designated player Heather Field for the 2-0 lead. Bedwell finished 1-for-3
with a run scored and an RBI, and Cox was 2-for-3.
The Nauts battled back in the bottom of the fourth when pinch hitter Lisa
Iancin scored shortstop Lyndsey Klein with a two-out single. Iancin went
2-for-2 with an RBI on the night. A one-out walk to Klein and a base-hit
by first baseman Kellie Wilkerson would put Klein in scoring position for
Iancin. Wilkerson finished a perfect 2-for-2.
Wilkerson led off the sixth inning with another base hit, pinch hitter
Jaclyn Pasquerella sacrificed her to second, and Iancin singled to right
and then stole to second to put runner’s on second and third with only one
out. However the Nauts would fail to score as Cox got centerfielder Venus
Taylor to ground out, and first baseman Jaime Foutch scooped third baseman
Kirsten Voak’s throw out of the dirt to stop the Juggernaut and secure the
win.
The Juggernaut will take on the Sunbirds again tonight at Montclair State University Softball Stadium at 7:35 pm.
National Pro Fastpitch Standings July 20, 2004
w L Games Behind
Akron Racers 22 10 _____
NyNj Juggernaut 24 14 1
Texas Thunder 20 11 1-1/2
New England Tide 16 20 8
Arizona Heat 11 24 12-1/2
California Sunbirds 11 25 13
Monday’s Scores
California 2, Juggernaut 1 (1st)
Juggernaut 3, California 0 (2nd)
Texas 2, New England 0
Arizona 5 Akron 1
