NPF Akron Racers

Diamonds Stop Racers Late Rally, Win 6-4

Published on July 27, 2012 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


Firestone Stadium, Akron, Ohio - With a runner on and one down, Akron Racers' first baseman Brianna Hesson blasted a two-run home run over the centerfield fence to close the scoring gap to 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Diamonds' pitcher Morgan Melloh rebounded, shutting the door on the Racers for the 6-4 victory in her first appearance back in National Pro Fastpitch competition this season.

After Carolina and Akron exchanged runs in the second inning, the Diamonds took the lead in the third inning when Kelsi Weseman (.364) blasting a two out, two-run home run for a 4-2 lead.

The Diamonds defense was lead by pitcher Morgan Melloh (W, 1-0) while the Racers had pitcher Hillary Bach (L, 4-5) and Kristina Thorson in the circle this game.

Melloh through seven complete innings of work for the Diamonds, allowing just three hits and four runs while striking out nine Racers batters.

Bach pitched 6.1 innings of work for the Racers, allowing nine hits and five runs while striking out five batters. Thorson finished the final 0.2 innings of play stringing out two batters while allowing one run on one hit and no walks.

The game had a 30-minute rain delay at the top of the third inning. Diamonds had base runners on first and second with two outs. Lobpries (.208) was up to bat with a full count when the delay was called.

Diamonds left fielder Jami Lobpries denied Racers' catcher Kaylyn Castillo (.221) of a possible RBI to tie the game with a diving catch in the third inning.

The Diamonds tried to gain a larger lead in the fourth inning with three back-to-back singles from Caitlin Lever (.241), GiOnna DiSalvatore (.327), and Rachel Folden (.406) - who is second in the lead for the NPF in batting average. This gave the Diamonds bases loaded with one out. Bach shut down their hopes, striking out the next two batters to end the inning.

Notable at bats for the Racers were Nicole Trimboli's (.262) two-run home run in the second inning and Brianna Hesson's (.333) two-run home run in the seventh.

The Racers continue their battle against the Diamonds tomorrow (Saturday, July 28) with a double header. Game one begins at 5:05pm and game two will start approximately 30 minutes after the end of the first.

Tickets can be purchased by going online to www.akronracers.org or calling (330) 376-8188.

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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 27, 2012


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