Force erase Racers in extras

August 15, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


Allentown, Pa- For the second game in a row, the Philadelphia Force and the Akron Racers would go into extra innings, and again, the Force would end up walk-off winners with a score of 3-2.

Both teams got on the board early, but the Racers struck first in the top of the first inning. Veronica Wootson led off the game with a single and quickly advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Norrelle Dickson. Wootson would advance to third two batters later on an error by Force shortstop, Chelsea Spencer. A clutch single by clean-up batter, Kate Robinson, would put the Racers ahead, 1-0.

The Force (29-17) did respond in the bottom of the second inning when Savannah Long blasted a two-out home run off of Akron starting pitcher, Jamee Juarez.

The Racers (19-27) did not settle as they would manufacture one more run in the top of the third inning. Dickson led the threat with a single to left field and a stolen base. With Dickson on second, Butler would put the second Akron run on the board with a single to center field that scored Dickson.

After three scoreless innings the Force bats came alive in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Sharonda McDonald led the Force with a single up the middle off of Angela Tincher, who entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kellie Wilkerson followed with an infield single to the shortstop. On the play, McDonald hustled the whole way to third base. With runners on first and third, Spencer crushed a single up the middle, scoring McDonald to tie the game 2-2.

The Force would win it in the eighth inning when Long got the Force on the base paths with a single to left field. Megan Gibson moved Long up a base with a walk to put two runners on. Juarez would re-enter the game to pitch, but that did not seem to throw off the Force as Juarez walked Ashley Smith to load the bases for Jenna Hall. Hall hit a slow grounder to shortstop but Long was able to beat Angelena Mexicano's throw home, making the Force winners.

The walk-off win was the ninth such win of the season for the Force.

Megan Gibson (9-4) earned the win on the mound for the Force. In 8.0 innings pitched, Gibson struck out nine.

Angela Tincher (12-10) took the loss for the Racers. Tincher pitched 4.0 innings, struck out five, and gave up two runs.

Kellie Wilkerson and Long each had hits on the night. Wilkerson raised her league leading average .407.

The Force and the Racers will be back at ECTB Stadium on Saturday to play the final games of the four-game series. Thursday's rescheduled game will be played at 4:00 p.m. and the regularly scheduled 7:00 p.m. will follow. Throughout the second game, the Force will be celebrating ASA Night. The final Battle of the Bats competition of the season will be held following the 4:00 game. All fans attending the 7:00 p.m. game who bring flight itinerary or hotel reservations for the playoffs in Kimberly, Wisconsin, will receive a free Force Nation t-shirt.



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 15, 2008


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