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Akron Racers

Racers Drop NPf Championship Series Semifinal Game 1

August 19, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


Racers Drop NPF Championship Series Semifinal Game 1
Racers Drop NPF Championship Series Semifinal Game 1
(Akron Racers)

TUSCALOOSA, AL - The fourth-seeded Akron Racers lost the first game of the NPF Championship Series Semifinals to the top-seeded USSSA Pride 3-0, in their best-of-three series at the University of Alabama's Rhoads Stadium on Friday night. The only offense on the night came off the bat of Pride designated player Lauren Chamberlain, who blasted a three-run home run off the scoreboard in left field in the bottom of the first inning.

The Racers had an opportunity to break through in the top of the first inning, when second baseman Ashley Thomas (Georgia Tech) picked up a one-out single to left field. Shortstop Sami Fagan (Missouri) and first baseman Sam Fischer (Loyola-Marymount) followed Thomas by getting hit by pitches from Pride starter Keilani Ricketts to load the bases. Ricketts escaped the jam and kept Akron off the scoreboard by striking out left fielder Shellie Robinson (South Carolina-Upstate) and designated player Alex Hugo (Georgia) to end the inning.

In the bottom half of the inning, Pride right fielder Kelly Kretschman and shortstop Shelby Pendley drew walks before Chamberlain drove them home with her home run. After a single by catcher Chelsea Goodacre, the Racers turned to Rachele Fico (Louisiana State) out of the bullpen to relieve starter Jailyn Ford (James Madison) and Fico silenced the Pride attack, retiring the first eight batters she faced.

Ricketts and Fico held both offenses at bay until Akron had another opportunity in the top of the fifth inning. Right fielder A.J. Andrews (Louisiana State) led off the inning by racing into second base for a double on a looping line drive to short centerfield. Andrews (2 hits) tagged up to reach third base on a fly out by centerfielder Taylor Schlopy (Georgia), but was stranded there after Ricketts forced Thomas and Fagan to ground out to end the inning.

Ricketts retired nine of the last 10 batters she faced to finish the complete game shutout, allowing four hits, while striking out three Racer hitters.

The Racers once again found success turning to their bullpen as Aimee Creger (Tulsa) came on for Fico in the bottom of the fourth inning and Creger threw three perfect innings to finish the game for Akron.

The Racers and Pride will finish their series Saturday, August 20 at Rhoads Stadium. Game 2 will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on CBS Sports Network as Akron tries to extend their season and avoid elimination. With a win in Game 2, the Racers and Pride would meet at 9:00 p.m. ET for the decisive Game 3 Saturday night with the game available online on NPF TV.




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Racers Drop NPF Championship Series Semifinal Game 1
Racers Drop NPF Championship Series Semifinal Game 1
   

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