PRO SOFTBALL GAME

Osterman versus Pauly
Wesley Wolverines attend
National Pro Fastpitch game

Oh what a softball night... first off, it was pro fastpitch softball... featuring near “legends”, former Olympian players... playing their first game ever for one team... in a close contest decided by a slide home... with player autographs scribbled across fans' softballs, tickets, gloves, even shirts...  and it all happened just a hour south of the Wesley College campus.

Wolverines enter the stadium!

Last Friday night, May 30, Wesley softball Head Coach Juli Greep along with five Wolverines, all residing near the Wesley campus,  joined her in fantastic front row field box seats at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, Salisbury, MD for the USSSA Pride versus the PA Rebellion contest in the opening week of the National Pro Softball league.

The Wolverines making the trip were junior #8 OF Steph Caracozza, junior #22 C/UT Morgan Seymour, junior #32 C/3B Kayla Fromal, sophomore #9 P/OF Lily Engel, and sophomore #18 C/3B Nina Marcano. Sophomore #5 C/1B Alora Wilson, who lives near the stadium, also was in attendance with her family.

Nina, Morgan, Steph and Lily pose
with USSSA Pride's Cat Osterman

Highlights of the evening included...

► The inaugural game – first in their history – of the brand new PA Rebellion team.

► Cat Osterman in the circle for the USSSA Pride. This three-time national Player of the Year, four-time All-American and two-time Olympic medalist was clearly the fan favorite.

► Sarah Pauly in the circle for the PA Rebellion. This National Pro Fastpitch's all-time leader in wins and innings pitched was actually part of a one-two punch of Osterman & Pauly when she pitched last year for the USSSA Pride's in their championship season.

► A very rocky, intense beginning. Cat Osterman started the game, after striking out the lead-off, by hitting a batter, then walking two more, and quickly giving up a run on a pass ball before an initial hit of any kind in the game.

Lily, Morgan, USSSA Pride's 

Kristyn Sandberg and Nina

► An outstanding pitching performance. After the first inning, Osterman, the National Pro Fastpitch league's brightest star, settled down for a 15 K performance en route to a tight 2-1 pitcher's battle and USSSA Pride victory.

Besides the on field excitement, the Wesley Wolverines picked up dozens of USSSA Pride autographs, including Osterman's, but also former Olympians Caitlin Lowe, Kelly Kretschman and Andrea Dura. Wolverine Steph Caracozza had players signing her ticket, glove and the back of her shirt!

Steph, USSSA Pride's Olivia Galati and Lily

Wolverine pitcher Lily Engel – prompted by Head Coach Greep – asked USSSA Pride's pitcher Olivia Galati, first-team All American at Hostra and an All National Fastpitch Pro selection last season, for advice on tossing the rise ball. Olivia took time to demonstrate her grip on the ball for the pitch and her form for snapping it toward the batter.

CLICK ON THE SLIDESHOW BELOW for 78 photos of the Wesley Wolverines at the stadium, shots of game action, and the flurry of autograph collecting.



BECOME A NATIONAL FASTPITCH PRO FAN by following the USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, and Pennsylvania Rebellion. Expansion efforts expect additional teams in 2015. Many NPF games will air on television, while all the action can also be found at WatchESPN Fastpitch Pro-fastpitch.