Sports stats



NPF Akron Racers

Pauly, Andrews Lead Racers to Victory over Rebellion

June 28, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


AJ Andrews of the Akron Racers
AJ Andrews of the Akron Racers
(Akron Racers)

AKRON, OH - The Akron Racers entered Tuesday night in need of a big performance to get back on the winning track and veteran pitcher Sarah Pauly (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) delivered a huge performance. Pauly baffled the Pennsylvania Rebellion bats for most of the night, delivering a complete game performance in a 5-1 win at Firestone Stadium.

"(Pauly's performance) was key for us. It's why we went with her in this game here," Racers Brian Levin said. "We really needed a good performance and she performed well. I'm really proud of her and she kind of took it on her shoulders and did a good job."

Pauly only surrendered one unearned run while scattering nine hits and one walk and striking out three Rebellion (7-14) hitters.

"It was very important to start the series against the Rebellion strongly," Pauly said. "We just got off of the road games with the Pride and fell with three games against them, so coming out here and just trying to make a statement was our main goal."

Akron (10-8) got clutch hits when it needed them the most off of Rebellion starter Haylie Wagner, who was nearly as effective for most of the night at limiting the Racer offense. Wagner had retired six of the first eight Akron batters when right fielder A.J. Andrews stepped to the plate to lead off the bottom of the third inning. Andrews (Louisiana State) blasted her first professional home run to centerfield to put the Racers ahead 1-0.

"Having fun just makes you play loose," Andrews said of the team's mindset. "I think when you try and do too much, you play tight and you don't perform as well. At least this team doesn't."

Akron added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning when catcher Griffin Joiner (Kentucky) plated designated player Alex Hugo (Georgia) and double the lead to 2-0.

Pauly faced her first real trouble of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Pennsylvania second baseman Kayla Winkfield led off by getting on base by a fielding error by shortstop Sami Fagan. Third baseman Stacey Porter and first baseman Alisa Goler followed with base hits, as Winkfield scored on the hit by Goler.

Pauly managed to escape any further trouble as third baseman Kelley Montalvo and Fagan teamed up to retire Porter on a fielder's choice the very next batter, before Pauly fielded an Alexa Peterson ground ball and forced designated player Mandy Ogle to pop out to Fagan to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning Fagan (Missouri) blew the game open with a three-run home run to centerfield that scored Andrews and centerfielder Taylor Schlopy (Georgia) to make the score 5-1.

"We were just ready for another win," Fagan said. "We are pumped to play in front of this crowd, because we have a great home crowd, and we just want to give them a show. So, we were just really excited to play here."

The Racers, who remained in second place in the NPF with the win, will welcome the Rebellion back to Firestone Stadium Wednesday night for the conclusion of their two-game series. For ticket information contact the box office at 330-376-8188 and for all things Racers visit the team's website at www.akronracers.org.




Images from this story

AJ Andrews of the Akron Racers
AJ Andrews of the Akron Racers
   

• Discuss this story on the National Pro Fastpitch message board...

National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 28, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central