CHATTANOOGA, TN – The Oklahoma City Spark have officially finished their first games of the 2024 season on the road at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Frost Stadium, the new home of the Chattanooga Steam, held the Coca-Cola Scenic City Pro Cup in a round-robin format. The Spark played one game per day from Wednesday, June 19 to Saturday, June 22, in Tennessee. Rylie Boone, Jayda Coleman, and Kinzie Hansen, all Oklahoma Sooners, had their professional debuts with the Spark. Pitcher Amber Fiser (Minnesota), catcher Dejah Mulipola (Arizona), and infielder Rachel Becker (Oklahoma State) also made their Spark debuts. The Spark finished 3-1 this week, finishing with the best record of the four clubs in the Pro Cup.
Game Recap 1: OKC Spark vs. New York Rise, June 19
During their first season at Frost Stadium, the OKC Spark opened with an entertaining game versus the New York Rise. Amber Fiser took the mound and, after giving up a two-run homer in the first inning, she regained her form with back-to-back strikeouts. Rylie Boone and Kinzie Hansen made their professional debuts, with Boone scoring her first hit with a nicely put bunt. Rylee Bayless walked in the third inning and was eventually driven home on Rachel Becker’s fielder’s choice, giving the Sparks their first run of the season.
Michelle Moultrie brought in Chloe Malau’ulu in the fifth, and Becker’s deep sacrifice fly put the Spark ahead 3-2. However, the Rise responded with two runs, putting them ahead 4-3. In the sixth inning, Donnie Gobourne relieved Fiser, who had eight strikeouts. Gobourne struck out four in two innings, and Dejah Mulipola’s two-run homer in the seventh clinched a 5-4 victory. It was a true team victory to begin the 2024 season.
Game Recap 2: OKC Spark vs. Florida Vibe, June 20
The Spark faced the Florida Vibe, with Keely Rochard taking the mound. The Vibe got ahead fast, scoring one run in the first and five more in the second. Despite this, Rochard had two strikeouts in the second inning. The Spark’s comeback began in the fourth inning, when Dejah Mulipola hit a single homer. Rylie Boone and Sydney Sherrill extended the rally, bringing the score to 3-6. In the fifth, the Spark took advantage of Vibe mistakes and critical hits by Boone and Sherrill, scoring five more runs to take an 8-6 lead.
As a reliever, Amber Fiser shut down the Vibe with four strikeouts and no runs in order to seal the thrilling victory.
Game Recap #3: June 21 – OKC Spark vs. Chattanooga Steam
The Spark’s starting lineup against the Chattanooga Steam was the same, with Keely Rochard starting in the circle once more. With four strikeouts in the first three innings and no hits or walks, Rochard pitched a brilliant game. In the fourth inning, Sydney Sherrill’s two-run home run and Rylie Boone’s single gave the Spark the lead. But the Steam rallied, taking a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with four runs scored. In the fifth inning, Donnie Gobourne relieved and made an excellent start, giving up just one hit and striking out four.
In the eighth inning, the Sparks’ offence came alive as Rylee Bayless and Rachel Becker reached base and Michelle Moultrie doubled to tie the game at four. Finally, in typical Kinzie Hansen fashion, she opens the seventh inning with a 3-run home run, her first-ever professional hit, over the centre field wall. Donnie Gobourne secured the 8-4 victory over the Steam by recording two more strikeouts to end the bottom of the inning.
Game Recap #4: June 22, Championship Game: OKC Spark vs. New York Rise
The Spark and New York Rise met once more in the Scenic City Pro Cup championship game. Jayda Coleman, a former Oklahoma Sooner, made her first-ever professional appearance, batting sixth and playing first base. Regretfully, the Spark was unable to continue their winning run as the Rise triumphed 9-1. The Spark’s offence failed to get going as the Rise recorded 12 hits against each of the three Spark pitchers.
The Spark is excited for their next home games at Devon Park, which begin on June 27 versus Great Britain and feature OU pitcher Paytn Monticelli, despite the setback in the Championship. The group is forward for yet another historic and unforgettable summer in Oklahoma City. Come celebrate with us on Thursday night at “Spark The Park” and don’t forget to wear Spark blue! Exciting events are planned for opening weekend, including flyovers, celebrity visits from the area, and a breathtaking drone display!