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Carolina Diamonds Defeat Smoldering Heat And Akron Racers

June 30, 2012 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) - Carolina Diamonds News Release


KANNAPOLIS - The Carolina Diamonds once again defeated the high temperatures and the Akron Racers Saturday evening at CMC-NorthEast Stadium in Kannapolis, winning 5-2.

Interim Diamonds head coach Lisa Navas said the team played well and carried one another in the win.

"We didn't get some bunts down to move some runners, but other than that I think they did well. They seem to be confident up at the plate, and relaxed and not making it about anything else but what they need to accomplish at the time," Navas said after the game. "We are not trying to hit home runs but just hit the ball hard. And it seems to be finding some holes for us."

The Racers (5-9) opened the game with an early home run in the first inning when Nicole Pauly hit a two run blast over the right field wall.

Carolina would get on the scoreboard in their first at bat when Amanda Locke hit a full count single over second base and drove in GiOnna DiSalvatore to make it 2-1.

The Diamonds rally would continue in the next inning when second basemen Natalie Villarreal doubled and drove in Kelsi Weseman to tie it up. Caitlin Lever followed this up with a double of her own to drive in Villarreal, making it 3-2. Amanda Locke would increase the Diamonds lead in the bottom of the third to 4-2 with her first professional home run after recently signing from the University of Alabama, where she just helped win the NCAA Women's College World Series.

The fourth inning would see Carolina set the final score at 5-2 when Jamie Lobpries drove in Angeline Quiocho from third.

"I thought it was a great game. I thought the team played great together. Everybody was hitting the ball good and we are stringing hits together. (There is) just a positive attitude ... everybody is working together as a team," Locke said later after going 2-2 with a home run and two RBIs.

It was also quite the game for pitcher Angel Bunner, who threw a complete game to get her first win of the season after being named to the NPF Rookie Watch two weeks ago for being the league's best rookie in week two of play. While Bunner gets a win on her pitching record, she said the victory truly is because of her team, who now become 4-10 and one win behind Akron.

"My defense was there. My offense was there. I can't do it without the team behind me. I feel like we were all together and we came out ready to play," Bunner said.

The Diamonds and Racers conclude the final two games of the series on Sunday and Monday at McCormick Field in Asheville.

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