Jaime Foutch's two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the third broke a scoreless tie and Kendall Richards scored what proved to be the winning run on a wild pitch in the fourth to lead the WPSL All-Stars to a 4-2 victory over WPSL Gold in game one of a doubleheader Thursday at Kiwanis Field in Salem, Va., in the WPSL Tour of Fastpitch Champions. WPSL Gold earned a split as Teri Klement-Goldberg singled home two runs and Lisa Fernandez pitched her second shutout in as many nights in a 2-0 victory over the WPSL All-Stars.

Kellyn Tate walked with one out in the third and Patti Benedict followed with a single. Danielle Cox bounced out to pitcher Danielle Henderson, moving the runners to second and third. Foutch fell behind 0-2 in the count before lacing a double to right-center field to score both runners and give the All-Stars a 2-0 lead.

"I came up there being aggressive," said Foutch. "I was looking for something close and it just happened to be over the plate."

Crystl Bustos led off the top of the fourth with an opposite field home run well beyond the right field fence to cut the All-Stars' lead to 2-1. The All-Stars answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth without the benefit of a hit.

Kendall Richards and Lyndsey Klein drew back-to-back walks to open the inning, and advanced to second and third on Julie Smith's sacrifice. Richards scored on a wild pitch and Klein scored on Julie Crandall's sacrifice fly to make the score 4-1.

WPSL Gold added a run in the sixth on a solo home run by Lisa Fernandez. Gold threatened in the top of the seventh, putting runners on first and third with one out, but a fly out and line out ended the threat and the game.

WPSL All-Stars pitcher Amy Kyler scattered six hits, including the two solo home runs.

"They were fat pitches against two of the best hitters and that's what they should do it," Kyler said of the two home run balls. "I was nervous coming into this trip because we've been off for so long. Before we went on our big break, I was feeling confident. Throwing last night, I'm glad I got to throw before my start tonight." Kyler pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief Wednesday night.

In the second game, a two-out rally in the third inning proved to be the difference. Laura Berg opened the inning with what was originally ruled an infield single, but the umpire reversed the call after determining that Julie Smith did have her foot on the bag before Berg reached base. After Bustos grounded out to third, Fernandez, Jennifer Brundage and Sheila Douty followed with consecutive singles to load the bases, bringing up Klement-Goldberg, who didn't expect to bat again in the game.

"It was pretty crazy how everything happened because I was pretty far back in the lineup," said Klement-Goldberg. "Coach (Judy Martino) had just told me that Jackie (Lance) was going in for me defensively, but if I got up to bat that inning I would hit. It was so far away and we had two outs, but then things started happening and it was great."

Klement-Goldberg hit a bouncer over the head of Richards at third base, scoring Fernandez and Brundage with the only runs of the game.

"I had been struggling the past couple games and it was nice to get in there and redeem myself a bit," said Klement-Goldberg. "It wasn't the best hit, but it was still a hit, we scored the runs and that was all that mattered."

Fernandez and All-Stars pitcher Kaci Clark allowed seven hits apiece, all singles.

A crowd of 2,105 attended Thursday's doubleheader, one day after a season-high 3,136 fans watched Wednesday's contest. Attendance was boosted by the ASA 18-Under Softball National Championship being held in Salem.

The tour resumes August 17-18 with a three-game series at Akron, Ohio. The tour concludes August 28-29 in Omaha, Neb. Visit the WPSLWPSL web site for boxscores, play-by-plays and additional information about the tour.

Keep Your Coaching Pitch Perfect.

bownet, nfca partner, nfca maxpreps, max preps, nfca partner, nfca cell wade, nfca partner, nfca

For Those Who Know Even
Days Off Are Days On.

Learn About The Perks And Join NFCA Today.

Benefits Join Today