Former Redbirds Stacy Birk and Shannon Nicholson now pitch professionally in the NPF league
June 18, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
As the season progresses in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league, so do the performances for two former Illinois State softball players. Pitchers Stacy Birk (Philadelphia Force) and Shannon Nicholson (Akron Racers) made strides last week toward improving on their rough start to the 2008 NPF season.
Birk had the strongest performance during the period of June 12-17. The power pitcher from Huntington Beach, Calif., started in the circle for Philadelphia in game one of its exhibition doubleheader against the Chinese National Team June 13. Birk earned a no-decision after she pitched eight complete innings, and did not surrender any runs on five hits. The game ended in a 0-0 tie after eight innings.
Pitching in relief of starter Margo Pruis in game two, Birk went 3 2/3 innings and gave up two runs (both earned) on four hits, with no walks and no strikeouts. For the league-leading Force (6-2), Birk is 0-1 on the season with a 9.51 ERA in 8 1/3 innings pitched.
Nicholson made just one appearance in the circle for Akron during the period of June 12-17. The right-hander pitched in relief against the Washington Glory June 14, where she lasted 1 2/3 innings and gave up three runs - two earned - on one hit. She also struck out two batters and walked two.
For the season, Nicholson is 0-0 with a 7.88 ERA in eight innings pitched. Akron still sits in last place in the six-team NPF standings with a 2-6 record through the first two weeks of the season.
