NPF National Pro Fastpitch

Racers Struggle Early in Loss to SY Dawgs

July 20, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release


AKRON, OH- The Akron Racers found themselves down quickly on Tuesday night and could never fully recover after the Scrap Yard Dawgs struck first for a 7-3 win at Firestone Stadium.

The Dawgs (19-13) came into the top of the first inning in full force, putting four runs on the board early. The Racers (19-14) barely got situated into their positions before left fielder Kiki Stokes led off for the Dawgs and blasted the fourth pitch of the game over the center field fence. Dawgs second baseman Nerissa Myers walked and designated player Madison Shipman reached on a fielder's choice later in the inning before first baseman Lexi Overstreet stepped up to the plate with two outs and smacked a three-run home run over center fielder Taylor Schlopy (Georgia) to build upon the Dawgs lead at 4-0.

"We have to keep the ball in the park and not put people on," said Racers coach Brian Levin. "When you do that you dig yourself a big hole, there was too big of a deficit to close."

Laura Winter (Notre Dame) stepped into the circle after Overstreet's home run and finished the game, allowing three hits and three runs on two home runs.

"I think it's working on our control a little bit," Winter said touching on limiting the long ball. "We have gone seven of eight days in a row so we are a little tired and let things loose a little bit too much and I think we need to reel it back in."

The Racers answered back with one run in the bottom of the first inning after Schlopy and third baseman Kelley Montalvo (Alabama) drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Designated player Sam Fischer (Loyola-Marymount) shot a hard ground ball to shortstop Christian Stokes, who tried to get Schlopy out at home, but was too late with the throw as the Racers cut the deficit to 4-1.

Kiki Stokes belted her second home run of the game in the top of the second inning, that also scored center fielder Emily Crane to extend the Dawgs lead to 6-1.

The Akron Racers kept up a fight in the bottom of the fourth inning when right fielder Cassie Tysarczyk (Texas A&M) hit a home run to right field that plated Sandra Simmons (Louisiana State) to make the score 6-3.

"The mindset is chip away," Tysarczyk said. "Sandra did a good job of surprising the defense with that soft slap and honestly I just kind of went up there thinking base hit and I happened to be underneath an off-speed pitch that happened to carry over (the fence)."

The Dawgs added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when Myers shot a home run.

The Racers will be back tomorrow night at Firestone Stadium to finish off the series with the Scrap Yard Dawgs at 12:05 p.m. Contact the Akron Racers ticket office at 330-376- 8188 or online at www.akronracers.org for ticket information. BOX SCORE



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 20, 2016


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