RACERS, ROBINSON STAY RED HOT AT HOME BEAT BANDITS
AKRON, OH – The Akron Racers continued to thrive in front of their home crowd, and outfielder Shellie Robinson, in particular, continued swinging a hot bat at Firestone Stadium, leading the Racers (8-8) to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Bandits on Tuesday night. Akron improved to 4-1 on the first homestand of the season.
With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Robinson stepped to the plated with two outs and the speedy A.J. Andrews on second base. Robinson ripped a line drive over Chicago centerfielder Sammy Marshall’s head to bring Andrews home easily, while Robinson raced into third base for her first triple of the year.
With Robinson’s game-winning hit, she improves to 9-for-17 in five games at Firestone Stadium with two home runs, a triple and seven RBI.
“Shellie came through on a pitch she’s been struggling with a little bit,” Racers Field Manager Charlotte Morgan said. “So, I was just excited that we actually came through on offense.”
The one-run advantage was all that Akron pitcher Alexis Silkwood would need to secure the victory. Silkwood, who came on in relief of starter Rachele Fico to begin the fifth inning, allowed just one hit and retired 9 of the eleven batters she faced in her three innings of work. Silkwood earned her team-best third win of the season, bringing her record to 3-1 on the year.
“Just go in there and get your job done and get outs for this team,” Silkwood said. “Keep us in the game and just go out there and do my job. Just trust the defense, trust Griffin, trust the process and just get outs.”
The Racers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, against Chicago starter Ellen Roberts. After designated player Jennifer Gilbert walk and third baseman Kelley Montalvo singled to start off the inning, Racers’ rookie Nicole Schroeder promptly drove both base runners in with a double to right-center field. Schroeder, who made her first start at first base for Akron this season, was named the Vaultz Lock It Up Player of the Game.
“I think the biggest thing was we got some clutch hits,” Morgan said about the victory. “Schroeder played first today for the first time, so I thought it was good she stepped up in a clutch situation.”
Racers starting pitcher Rachele Fico held the Bandits scoreless through the first three innings of the game before Chicago mounted a rally. In the top of the fourth inning, left fielder Natalie Hernandez led off with a home run over the left field wall. With two outs in the same inning, Abby Ramirez ripped a single through the right side of the infield, plating Stacy May-Johnson to tie the game 2-2.
The win evens the season series with the Bandits at 2-2. Akron will face off against the Bandits (11-10) again tomorrow at Firestone Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. For information or to order tickets contact the Racers ticket office at 330-376-8188.
Quick Facts:
Attendance: 456
Game Time: 1:53
Vaultz Lock It Up Player of the Game: Nicole Schroeder
Courtesy of A.J. Fagerlin
