Charge Outlast Racers in Back and Forth Contest
Published on August 1, 2016 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release
McKinney, TX - The Dallas Charge overcame an early 5-0 deficit to win a seesaw affair Sunday afternoon at Craig Ranch against the Akron Racers 10-8. Game one of the three game series featured 21 hits between the two teams, including six doubles and three home runs.
Both squads left nine runners on base. Akron used four pitchers and the Charge pitched three. Jill Compton picked up the win for the Charge going three and one-third innings in relief of Vanessa Stokes, who allowed five runs on five hits, all earned. She hit two batters and did not make it out of the second inning. Morgan Melloh earned the save, throwing the final two innings for Dallas.
The game started badly for the Charge. A.J. Andrews, Ashley Thomas and Sami Fagan all reached via the free pass. Hits by Sam Fischer and Taylor Schlopy cleared the bases, giving Akron a 3-0 lead. The second inning was more of the same. A two-out Thomas double was followed by a Fagan double that plated Thomas. Fisher walked, ending the day for Charge pitcher Vanessa Stokes. A subsequent Schlopy single up the middle scored Fagan to push the Akron lead to 5-0.
In the bottom of the second inning, things began to turn for the Charge. Chelsea Forkin lead off with a line drive over the right center field fence to get Dallas on the board.
The Charge took the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs. Kylee Lahners got things started with a single and then stole second. Lauren Haeger got hit by a pitch in front of a Kaylyn Castillo three-run bomb to left center. The blast cut the lead to 5-4. Forkin rolled a ball to third that was misplayed and she reached first safely. That base runner signaled the end of the night for Racer starter Jailyn Ford. She made way for Laura Winter, who was unable to put out the fire. After a groundout, Danielle Henderson hit a towering fly ball to left that just cleared the fence and reached the bleachers, giving the Charge a 6-5 edge.
The Racers immediately responded and tied the game on the strength of a Fagan double to right and Shellie Robinson single.
The scored remained tied into the fifth when the Charge got two. The Charge loaded the bases with a walk, a hit and fielder's choice. Renada Davis doubled to left, giving Dallas an 8-6 lead.
The Charge extended the advantage to four by adding two more in the bottom of the sixth. Again, Dallas loaded the bases in the frame. Kaitlyn Richardson singled home two more and the Charge led 10-6.
The top of the seventh, the Racers fought back scored two and had the tying run on second before Melloh closed the door with a strike out.
Davis and Castillo each had two hits. Richardson collected three. Davis, Henderson and Richardson all had two RBI's. Castillo knocked in three.
Akron's Andrews, Fagan and Schlopy also had two hits apiece. Fagan scored three times. Andrews, Fischer and Schlopy each knocked in two.
The Charge improved their record to 14-25 on the season. The Racers fell to 20-21. The Charge will take on the Akron Racers again on Monday night.
LOCATION: The Ballfields at Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX FINAL SCORE: Charge 10 Racers 8 RECORDS: Charge (14-25), Racers (20-21) NEXT CHARGE GAME: Monday, August 1, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. CT vs. the Akron Racers at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch BOX SCORE
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 1, 2016
- Akron Racers Blast Their Way Past Dallas Charge - Akron Racers
- Pride Defeat Yard Dawgs 3-1 - USSSA Pride
- Week 9 Players of the Week - NPF
- Pride Power Their Way Past SY Dawgs in Doubleheader - NPF
- Charge Outlast Racers in Back and Forth Contest - NPF
- Rebellion Fall to Bandits in Extra Innings - NPF
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