The USSSA Pride’s return to the Central Florida area was somewhat ruined by the return of, well, Central Florida. Specifically a UCF alum playing her first game back in Central Florida (and weather, but weather ledes never work).
Turnier came into Sunday’s game with the Chicago Bandits leading the league-leading Pride 5-1. With the Pride rallying to make a comeback, Turnier came in and shut the door. She fired four innings of one-hit softball to secure the big win for Chicago and even the series, after the Pride won the rain-halted first game earlier in the day.
Turnier dominated in her four years at UCF. She was a NFCA All-American her junior year and helped UCF make the NCAA Softball Tournament three consecutive years. She was a big part of why the Knights became a power in the American Conference and a strong team nationally.
She became the highest drafted player from UCF in the NPF Draft. And she has made good.
The performance in Sunday’s win over the Pride was not an isolated incident. She was always very good and has had a strong rookie year.
Turnier has appeared in 11 games with six starts. She is 4-3 with a 4.41 ERA, helping secure that first win over the league-leading Pride. She has 27 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched. She definitely seems to have a secure future in National Pro Fastpitch.
She told Eric Lopez of In The Circle she was very excited to be back in Orlando and getting the chance to play in front of family, friends and former coaches and teammates this past weekend. Turnier is someone who has helped establish the sport in Orlando again and helped form the base for this new program.
The Bandits have one more game against the Pride tonight at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports at Disney before heading out for the rest of their season. The Bandits are 14-18.
The Pride will play home games throughout the week at Disney. They welcome the Pennsylvania Rebellion for a three-game set beginning Wednesday and then the Akron Racers come to town for a three-game set beginning Saturday. That will conclude the NPF team’s yearly visit to Central Florida.
Cyle Larin joins Kaka on MLS All-Star Team
Orlando City will have two all stars when the MLS All-Star team takes on Arsenal of the Premiere League.
Kaka was named a part of the Fan XI and a starter for the MLS All-Star team after winning last year’s MLS All-Star Game MVP with a goal and an assist. He will now be joined by his teammate in the attack.
Cyle Larin has been a scoring machine and the second-year Orlando City forward is very well deserving of an All-Star berth. He has scored nine goals in 18 appearances this year, including one last weekend against the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-2 tie.
It has been a very up-and-down season for the Lions with the coaching change and the inconsistency throughout the season.
Orlando City has still produced some strong individual players. And Larin is certainly deserving. Kevin Molino is still on the outside though, but could be a replacement if Kaka is unable to play becuase of his nagging injuries.
Cyle Larin has been a scoring machine and the second-year Orlando City forward is very well deserving of an All-Star berth. He has scored nine goals in 18 appearances this year, including one last weekend against the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-2 tie.