USSSA Pride opened the last series of the European Pro Softball Series Presented by WBSC with a shutout victory over the N° 8 Netherlands by 6-0. The game was played in Stokeind Stadium, Moergestel, in front of a huge crowd, despite the cold weather.
The Pride took the lead early in the game, taking advantage of a wild start by host starter Marjolein Merkx. She loaded the bases with three consecutive walks, and Shelby Pendley hit an RBI single to right field (the only hit of the inning for the winning team) for the 1-0. Then Andrea Duran and Sahvana Jaquish drew back to back walks to make it 3-0; and Mandy Perez was hit by pitch, to plate the fourth run of her team.
USSSA loaded the bases again in the 4th frame, with two outs, but Jaquish was retired with a grounder to second base to end the threat.
In the bottom of the 4th the Netherlands offense put runners on first and second with back to back singles by Maxime Van Dalen and Virginie Anneveld. But a spectacular diving catch by Allexis Bennett in left field ended the inning and kept the Netherlands scoreless in the game.
One inning later, the American team added two more runs, with Perez scoring on a wild pitch and Bennett on a throwing error by catcher Laura Wissink, when Sierra Romero stole second base.
This was the fifth consecutive win, and the third shutout, for USSSA Pride in the European tour. The U.S. pro team is still unbeaten in European soil, with only two games left against the Netherlands. Tomorrow they will face the European champions in Hoofddorp at 6:10 p.m., while the final game will be on Wednesday in Haarlem at 7 p.m.
