Oxford, AL – Late-arriving rookie Rogers tosses no-hitter as Oxford’s Smash It Sports Vipers down USSSA Pride 1-0 to open final regular-season series
The Smash It Sports Vipers are finally starting to feel top draft pick Ashley Rogers’ long-awaited impact.
The rookie pitcher from Tennessee pitched a no-hitter Saturday, and the Vipers beat the USSSA Pride 1-0 to open the regular season’s final series. The Women’s Professional Fastpitch semifinals start Aug. 9 at Choccolocco Park.
Rogers didn’t pitch the first half of the season because of a stress fracture in her right (pitching) forearm. She worked slowly into the rotation, gradually increasing her pitch count.
She had a perfect game through three innings at Oklahoma City on July 26 but exited the action because of pitch restrictions.
Saturday, she finished. She had 60 strikes in 89 pitches, striking out nine batters with one walk.
Vipers public-address announcer Tommy Wood marked Rogers’ no-hitter by playing “Rocky Top” at Choccolocco Park’s signature field.
Rogers is 1-3 on the season with a 4.33 ERA, 30 strikeouts and 10 walks in 27 innings pitched.
The Vipers had five hits and scored the game’s lone run in the second inning, on Kelsey Bennett’s sacrifice fly. Tatyana Forbes, pitching running after Chelsea Gonzales doubled and reached third base, scored.
The Vipers (9-25) made it two victories in a row for the second time this season and first time since beating Oklahoma City July 11 and 12 at home. One more victory in this series, and the Vipers will secure their second series win of the season.
