Force lose to Racers in extra innings

Published on July 5, 2008 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release


Akron, Ohio- Akron Racers Kate Robinson went 2-for-3 and drove in the winning run with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to lead the host Racers to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Force. The Racers took three of the four game series played at Firestone Stadium.

The Force remain on top of the NPF standings with a 14-6 record. The Racers are in fourth place with a record of 11-9.

In the third inning, the Force started the scoring. Kellie Wilkerson, who leads the league in hitting and had two hits on the night, doubled with two outs. Chelsea Spencer followed with a two-run home run, her first of the season, to left center off of Racer starter Angela Tincher. Spencer was 2-for-4 on the evening.

The Racers got one back in their turn in the third inning. Kellie Middleton singled to start the frame. She stole second base and moved to third on a single by Kristen Butler. Susan Ogden plated the Racers first run with a sacrifice fly.

In the sixth inning, Robinson would tie the score off of Katie Burkhart. She connected for her fourth home run of the season.

The game could not be decided in regulation, so the game headed to extra innings. The Force did not score in the top half of the eighth, but the Racers would in the bottom. Butler started the winning rally with a double. Jherica Williams was summons to pinch run for Butler at second base. Ogden moved Williams to third with a sacrifice bunt. Robinson then ended the game with a fly ball to right field, deep enough to score Williams with the winning run.

In the circle, Tincher (7-2) pitched all eight innings and struck out seven. She yielded seven hits in the win. For the Force, Burkhart (4-2) also struck seven batters and allowed five hits in 7.2 innings of work.

The Force return home on Wednesday to face the Rockford Thunder. The Thunder series will have a Coaches for a Cure theme and will feature a different charity being spotlighted each game. On Wednesday, it will be Lehigh Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters night. Also, the first 300 fans will receive free Majestic throwback NPF T-shirts. It will also be College Night as students with IDs will be given special incentives at the gate.

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