NPF Akron Racers

Riptide tops Racers 4-3

Published on June 29, 2006 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


The New England Riptide were back in action at home on Martin Softball Field Thursday night June 29 for the second in a four game series with the 2005 league champion Akron Racers. The Riptide took the game 4-3 in the eighth inning. This game marked the Riptide television debut; Fox Sports Net New England taped the game live. Well-known Boston radio personality Jon Meterparel from WEEI's Dennis and Callahan morning show was on hand for the play-by-play announcing and former Riptide player Sara Jewett provided the color commentary. The game will air on Saturday July 1; check your local listings for exact time. Akron got out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Riptide pitcher Jocelyn Forest walked leadoff batter Iyhia McMichael. Kristin Johnson hit into a fielders choice but an error on the throw by catcher KJ Kelley allowed McMichael to advance to third with Johnson safely aboard at first. Forest struck out Akron?s Brandee McArthur for the first out of the inning. The Racer?s Oli Keohohou singled to bring McMichael home putting Akron on the board 1-0. The Racers rally didn?t end there; Caitlyn Benyi came to the plate with two and sent a double into left field scoring both Johnson and Keohohou giving the Racers an early 3-0 lead. Forest struck out Emily Price to put the inning away. The Riptide came out firing in the bottom of the first facing Akron?s Amy Kyler in the circle. A throwing error by Akron catcher Kristen Butler allowed Jackie Pasquerella to reach first safely. Designated player Tarrah Beyster came to the plate with two outs in the inning and blasted a home run over the right field fence cutting the Akron lead to one, 3-2. New England tightened up on in the second, quieting the Akron bats. Forest walked Kim Gonzalez with two outs in the inning putting a runner on board for the Racers. Kelley caught Gonzalez stealing to end the inning. Kelley carried her momentum from the great play that ended the top of the second into the bottom of the inning, leading off with a homerun to tie the game 3-3. Kelley?s homerun prompted an early exit from the game for Kyler who was replaced by the Racers Radara McHugh. New England defense tightened up behind Forest in the circle in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lindy Winkler made an impressive catch in left field diving to rob Benyi of a base hit and then ended the inning with another great catch on a ball hit by Butler. The ?Tide defense continued to stay strong throughout the fifth and sixth innings Pasquerella made a great catch in the sixth, leaning over the Riptide dugout railing to field a foul ball hit by Kehohohou. The game quickly became a pitchers dual between Forest and McHugh after the second inning. Forest settled down after a rough first inning only allowing two hits in the next six innings. The Riptide managed to contain the Racers offensively through the seventh inning but was silent at the plate sending the 3-3 tie into extra innings. After Forest shut down the Racers offense in the top of the eighth the Riptide quickly ended the game. Winkler reached on a base hit with one out in the inning. A single by Beyster advanced Winkler to second and a base hit into deep left by Angus brought Winkler home to win the game for the Riptide. The `Tide is back on the field at home again tomorrow June 30 at 7:05 pm for the third game of the series with Akron.

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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 29, 2006


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