Pitcher Sarah Dawson Named an Impact Honoree

March 17, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release

AKRON, OH - Pitcher Sarah Dawson becomes the fourth IMPACT Award recipient announced today by the Akron Racers. The honorees include 30 players who have had the most profound impact on the development of the franchise since play began in Akron in 1999.

Dawson was a member of the Orlando Wahoos from 1997-1998, when play was suspended in Orlando after the 1998 season Akron acquired the Wahoo roster in 1999. Dawson led the Wahoos to back-to-back WPF titles.

In 1997 and 1998, Dawson was a consistent force in the development of the professional league during her four-year pro career. She is the only pitcher to have won 30 games in a season as a pro. That record-setting season was her rookie campaign in 1997.

"Sarah was a masterful architect of the game from within the circle," recalled GM, Joey Arrietta. "She had a grit about her that seemed to add speed and spin to every pitch."

Dawson currently ranks second in franchise history with a 1.54 ERA. Despite only pitching two seasons, Dawson has thrown the fifth most complete games with 23 of her 27 starts going the distance. Her 208.1 innings pitched and 123 strikeouts both rank seventh in the Akron record book, and her 27 starts are eighth in franchise history. Her 17-13 career Racers record makes Dawson the eighth winningest pitcher in Akron history. Dawson's three saves also ties her in fourth place on the Racers all-time list.

In the organization's first year of existence, Dawson led Akron with 132 innings pitched, 26 appearances, 82 strikeouts, 11 wins, 1.91 ERA, 16 complete games and five shutouts. She also tied for the team lead with 17 starts. Her 16 complete games still tied the Racers franchise record with Lisa Norris for the most in a single season by a Racers pitcher.

Dawson upped her performance in 2000, when she posted the third-lowest ERA in franchise history at 0.92, that mark is tied for the 20th best ERA in the history of the WPF, WPSL and NPF. Dawson also threw a team-high 76.1 innings, while throwing seven complete games and winning a team-high six games.

Prior to joining the Racers, Dawson put forward what may be considered the greatest professional season by a softball pitcher with the Wahoos in 1997. In that year, Dawson threw the fifth most innings by any pitcher in the WPF/WPSL/NPF combined history with 224.0. She is currently tied for 15th place all-time with 150 strikeouts in a season. In 1997, her 22 shutouts are tied for fourth in league history in a single year, her 0.91 ERA is 19th all-time and her 30 victories in that season still stands as a league record, with no pitcher closer to Dawson than Kaci Clark who earned 23 wins in 1999.

Dawson and the other 29 IMPACT honorees will be recognized this summer, culminating in a weekend-long celebration July 15-17 when the Racers welcome the Dallas Charge to Firestone Stadium for a three-game series. The Racers will welcome back many of their former players to celebrate the history of the franchise, culminating in the pre-game presentation of the 30 IMPACT honorees on July 16th.

Each honoree will receive a special commemorative jersey bearing their name and number.

2016 Akron Racers IMPACT Honorees (to date):

1. Carla Brookbank-Schaal

2. Crystl Bustos

3. Amy Kyler

4. Sarah Dawson

Akron Racers Pitcher Sarah Dawson

National Pro Fastpitch Stories from March 17, 2016

• Pitcher Sarah Dawson Named an Impact Honoree - Akron Racers

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.

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