Racers Use 6-Run 5th Inning to Beat Pauly, Rebellion

August 5, 2014 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Pennsylvania Rebellion News Release


Akron, OH - August 5, 2014 - The Pennsylvania Rebellion's Sarah Pauly pitched like an ace for most of Monday night's contest, but the Akron Racers potent lineup ex ploded late to net a 7-3 victory on national television.

Pauly allowed a single run, a Nerissa Myers first-inning home run, on four hits through four innings. But the Racers' offense struck for a six-run 5th with seven straight hits playing on CBS Sports Network.

"I think we continued to pick good pitches" Racers Field Manager Brain Levin said. "Pauly was doing a good job of going in and out on us, and we were having a rough time with it. I think that we continued to follow the game plan of picking a half of the plate, and if you get one on that half drive it."

The Racers rally began with one out in the 6th inning down 3-1. Ayumi Karino singled but was erased at third for the second out of the inning after a Jill Barrett single. Nerissa Myers singled home Barrett, which began a string of five two-out hits.

Charlotte Morgan doubled and Jessica Garcia followed with a two-run triple that gave the Racers a 4-3 lead and sent Pauly to the bench. Kelley Montalvo drove in Garcia with a single off Rebellion reliever Angel Bunner, then Taylor Schlopy put the finishing touches on the comeback with a two-run home run to center.

Schlopy was hitting just .170 on July 21, but has heated up with three home runs and three multi-hit games in her past seven.

"Taylor's been hitting into some tough luck," Levin said. "She's been hitting a lot of balls at people, but now they're starting to find holes. She made a little adjustment, getting through the ball more and staying on plane a little more through the swing. That little bit of tweak here and there, sometimes it's not much, but it's enough to give you a little confidence when you're driving the ball and that's what happened."

Racers starter Lisa Norris ran into trouble in the second inning after a Lauren Lappin single. Taylor Edwards hit an RBI double and Briana Hamilton capped off the inning with a two-run home run.

"I think I left a little bit over the plate," Norris said. "But for the Rebellion to hit it and put a solid bat on it, that's great hitting. I think I focused more on hitting the spots and attacking; not being timid. Mixing speeds and locations a lot more."

Norris recovered from the early struggles to throw a complete game, permitting six hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Levin thinks she began to get into a rhythm as she went through the Rebellion order multiple times.

"When you've got a veteran like Lisa, is rolling over the lineup two or three times a benefit to her - Levin said. "In this case I think it was a benefit to her. A rookie or another pitcher might be a different story, when they see her two or three times and begin to figure her out. But Lisa, she can adjust things a little bit and she understands how to pitch."

The Racers comeback was swift and remarkable. Pauly entered the game with a 2.66 ERA but allowed five earned runs, the most she's allowed in a game since early June.

"She was doing a really good job of using both sides of the plate and I could see our hitters getting frustrated," Levin said. "They were frustrated but they didn't get rattled. They still had composure and continued to have good at-bats. Finally, it worked out for us."

The Racers finish their series with the Rebellion Tuesday night at 7:05 PM ET live on CBS Sports Network. For tickets or info call the Racers at 330-376-8188.



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