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Akron Racers

Akron Racers Drop Series Opener to Texas Charge

July 20, 2017 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


SAN MARCOS, TX - The Akron Racers started their five-game Texas road trip with a 4-1 loss at the hands of pitcher Lauren Haeger and the Texas Charge on Tuesday night. Haeger threw a complete game, allowing just one unearned run on four hits and two walks, striking out 12 hitters.

Akron (17-16) starter Megan Betsa and Haeger put offense at a premium through the first four innings, as the Charge (16-16) carried a 1-0 lead, after Koral Costa scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the first inning. Costa had previously reached first base on an error by Racer second baseman Ashley Thomas.

The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning, after Breja'e Washington led off the inning with an infield single, Akron turned to the bullpen and reliever Alexis Silkwood. Taylor Gadbois greeted Silkwood with an infield single of her own, when Silkwood tried to catch Washington leaning off second base the throw went into centerfield to put runners on second and third base. Costa followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Washington. Right fielder Bailey Landry followed Costa with a base hit up the middle to bring home Gadbois and give Texas a 3-0 lead. Alisa Goler would later drive home Landry with a hit to right field to cap the inning.

Facing a 4-0 deficit, the Racers would not go quietly. The brightest spot for Akron offensively all night was centerfielder A.J. Andrews. After recording the Racers' first two hits of the game in her first two at bats, Andrews drew a one-out walk in the top of the sixth inning. Andrews later scored on an error by Landry on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Jennifer Gilbert to cut the deficit to 4-1.

In the top of the seventh inning, singles by third baseman Kelley Montalvo and left fielder Kristen Wyckoff brought the tying run to the plate with two outs. Haeger, though, struck out pinch hitter Maddy Grimm to end the Akron rally and close the game.

Betsa threw four innings in defeat, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits and one walk, while striking out one Charge hitter.

The Racers will meet Texas in the second game of the three-game series Wednesday night at 8:05 p.m. ET, looking to even the series. The game will be streamed on NPF TV.

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