AKRON, OH (August 9, 2016) – The Akron Racers came up on the short end of a pitchers’ duel against the USSSA Pride Tuesday night at Firestone Stadium, in a game that Mother Nature had the final say, with lightning and rain in the area bringing the game to a conclusion after five official innings, with the Pride earning the 3-0 victory.
“I believe we are a darn good ball club. We just haven’t played complete ball,” Racers Field Manager Brian Levin said. “So, you know, if we can put all three phases together I think we will be right where we need to be. We just need to do it.”
Pride starting pitcher Keilani Ricketts held the Racer bats at bay, allowing only one hit in four innings of work to earn the win.
Meanwhile, Racers starting pitcher Sarah Pauly took a bit of a “tough luck” loss, allowing only three runs on five hits in five innings in the circle.
The Pride were the first to crack the scoresheet in the top of the second inning. After designated player Lauren Chamberlain and Ricketts drew walks and first baseman Hallie Wilson smacked a base hit to load the bases, second baseman Kelsey Stewart blasted a double to the left-center field gap that plated Wilson and Chamberlain and put the Pride ahead 2-0.
In the top of the third inning, the Pride extended their lead by one more after Ricketts shot a single down the left field line that ran right fielder Kelly Kretschman home to put USSSA ahead 3-0.
Racers center fielder Taylor Schlopy attempted to spark a two-out rally in the bottom of the third inning by slicing a double down the right field line, but Akron was unable to cut the deficit when Ricketts struck out shortstop Sami Fagan to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth inning, stellar defense from the Racers outfielders kept the Pride from breaking the game open. Schlopy started the inning by making an over-the-shoulder catch as she dove over the outfield fence to rob Pride third baseman Courtney Ceo of a home run. Right fielder A.J. Andrews punctuated the inning by soaring above the fence to rob shortstop Shelby Pendley of a three-run home run for the final out.
“I’m going to go hard every single play, if it’s near me I’ll go all out,” Andrews said. “I feel like we pride ourselves in the fact that we work so hard. Whoever is in the outfield is going to go really hard, so I’m really proud of that.”
The Pride were led offensively by Wilson, who went 3-for-3 with a run scored.
