Racers Tackle Brakettes in Exhibition Double Header

In the first game of the evening, the Racers started off strong defensively and with pitcher Kristina Thorson (0-0) in the circle. Playing third base was Aja Paculba who cleaned up the Brakettes tendency to pull the ball down the line this game. Nicole Trimboli (.571) also did her part defensively making a diving catch for a bunt and snagging a double play at first in the fifth inning to put the Brakettes bats ultimately to a stop for the rest of the game.

The Racers started out this evening with Lisa Modglin's (.125) single; she eventually stole home to put Akron on the board in the first inning. Notable Racers bats included Alicia Herron (.333) with a single RBI in the fourth inning, Paculba (.200) with a 2 RBI double on an error, and Taylor Schlopy (.333) with a single RBI to give the Racers their final 5 run lead of the game.

Racers brought in pitcher Erin Arevalo (1-0) in the top of the fourth inning. Arevalo cleaned up the Brakettes defensively and held them to only scoring one run at the end of the game.

The Brakettes had a hard time offensively against Thorson, Arevalo and the Racers defense until back-to-back single RBIs in the top of the fourth inning. There were a total of eight hits for the Brakettes and nine for the Racers.

Brakettes pitcher Brandice Balschmiter (29-0) created an opportune bases loaded situation for the Racers in the bottom of the fourth inning, allowing Herron a single RBI to tie up the game 2-2. Errors by the Brakettes defense in the bottom of the fifth inning allowed the

Racers to score 3 runs breaking the 2-2 tie and giving the Racers the win.

In the second game of the double header, pitcher Hillary Bach (1-0) began in the circle for the Akron Racers. Bach held the Brakettes scoreless in the first four innings of the game. Jen Mineau (0-0) came in to replace her in the fifth inning and held the Brakettes scoreless until the seventh inning. Bach reentered to close the top of the inning.

Despite an early offensive start, the Brakettes had trouble for the second time against the Racers pitching and defense. No runs were scored until Steff Call's (.393) 3-run home run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, allowing the Brakettes to tie up the score at 3.

Brakettes pitcher Rachele Fico (0-1) struggled early in the game giving up a solo home run to Brianna Hesson (.667) placing the Racers up 1-0 in the second inning. An RBI double by Trimboli and a single by Nicole Pauly (.167) created another bases loaded situation in the sixth inning; the Racers take advantage scoring two runs.

The game went into one extra inning and ended with a second home run (2-run) by Hesson to finish off the Brakettes two-game series in Akron.

Come watch the Racers take on the Carolina Diamonds this weekend (July 26-29) at Firestone Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by going online to www.akronracers.org/tickets/info/ or by calling 330-376-8188.

• Discuss this story on the National Pro Fastpitch message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
Tweet

National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 24, 2012

• Racers Tackle Brakettes in Exhibition Double Header - Akron Racers
• Week 7 Provides a Little Bit of Everything - NPF

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.