NPF Akron Racers

Akron Racers Rout Beijing Eagles in Shutout

Published on August 3, 2017 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


AKRON, OH - With the Akron Racers playing as the visitors at Firestone Stadium, due to the fact the Beijing Shougang Eagles do not have a home field, it didn't seem to bother the Racers, who jumped out of the gates quickly and stormed to a 13-0 win over the Eagles in the first game of the three-game series on Thursday night. Akron pounded out 16 hits, including four home runs, and starting pitcher Rachele Fico carried a no-hitter through six innings, proving too much for Beijing.

Fico came out with a fire in her eyes, throwing a complete game and allowing only two hits in the seventh inning with 10 total strikeouts. Her domination on defense earned Fico the Vaultz Lock It Up Player of the Game.

"It felt good. We were mixing all pitches and trying to stay sharp. We were just trying to get our defense in the dugout quickly so they could focus on offense," Fico said. "It was a good game. The defense worked a bit, and we made effective pitches when we needed to."

It was Fico's second consecutive complete game shutout over the Eagles.

"All of her pitches were moving really well. She was just doing a good job of hitting her spots and attacking the hitters," catcher Griffin Joiner said of Fico. "She was able to put it exactly where she wanted to get swings and misses or ground ball outs."

Akron's offense gave Fico plenty of run support, scoring in each of the first four innings. With an error on third baseman Wang Bei on a lead-off bunt from leadoff hitter A.J. Andrews, Akron earned a base runner from the start of the top of the first inning. After second baseman Ashley Thomas sacrificed Andrews to second base, designated player Sami Fagan lined a single to left field to bring home Andrews. Shortstop Sam Fischer-Cooke followed Fagan later in the inning by blasting a two-run home run over the left field wall for a 3-0 Akron lead.

Fischer-Cooke is now tied for second in the league with eight home runs on the season.

In the second inning, the Racers' rally continued. Joiner took a pitch up the middle for a single to get her team started with one out. Griffin went one for three on the night, with two walks and one run scored. With a slap hit over the head of the Eagles shortstop Liu Li Li from left fielder Kristen Wyckoff, Akron put runners on first and second base. A centerfield single from Thomas scored Joiner and moved Wyckoff to second. An error on the throw to first by Eagles shortstop Liu Li Li after a Fagan ground ball scored Wyckoff for another Racers run, moving Thomas to third. With two teammates on, right fielder Shellie Robinson smacked her seventh home run to bring in three runs and advance the Racers lead to 8-0.

With Kelly Montalvo up to bat in the third inning, Beijing second baseman Zhao Jing bobbled a ground ball and the Akron third baseman beat out her way to first. On a passed ball, Montalvo made it to second base for Wyckoff. The speedy Racer hit a ground ball single to shortstop, running it out and moving Montalvo to third base. With another quick player up to the plate, an Andrews' single to second base moved Montalvo home to advance the Eagles deficit 9-0.

In the lead-off spot of the fourth inning, Fagan smacked a solo home run over the right field fence for her first of the season.

"I thought this win was really good for our team because we have been struggling for a little bit," Fagan said. "So, to come out and click on offense, defense, and in the circle was really huge for us.

"Especially now that we're heading towards the playoffs, so I think that is really good for our team."

First baseman Nicole Schroeder steeped up later in the fourth inning and hit the fourth dinger of the game for Akron, a two-run shot that gave the Racers a 12-0 lead.

Montalvo sent a shot back up the middle for an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning for Akron's final run of the game.

"I was very pleased with our offense, right from the get go," Racers Field Manager Charlotte Morgan said. "I've challenged them to have quality at bats and they've been working really hard this week. I think they've done a really good job with their approaches."

The Racers return to defend their home field Friday and Saturday night for the last two games of the final Beijing series. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Racers ticket office at (330) 376-8188.

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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 3, 2017


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