The Woodlands, TX – The Scrap Yard Dawgs faced the Akron Racers for a Fourth of July celebration, and in the first-ever meeting between the two teams, the Racers shut out the Dawgs 12-0 on Monday night.
The Racers were first on the board. Jennifer Gilbert led the top of the second inning off with a hit by pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Geri Ann Glasco followed with a walk and Griffin Joiner laid down a bunt to move the runners to bring up Ashley Thomas, who loaded the bases for the Racers. Taylor Schlopy came in clutch with a two-run double to put the Racers ahead 2-0 with two outs in the inning.
Starting pitcher Ivy Renfroe for the Dawgs had three strike outs over four innings and her sister Ellen Renfroe Reed, entered in relief in the fifth inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Racers led off with back-to-back singles by Schlopy and Montalvo to put runners on base for Missouri standout, Sami Fagan, who smacked a two-run triple (4-0). Alex Hugo followed with a two-run home run over the left field febce to put Akron ahead 6-0. Sara Driesenga entered for Reed to finish the inning.
The Dawgs struggled to break the ice offensively against Sarah Pauly, who allowed only four hits and two walks in the complete game victory.
Rachel Fox entered in the seventh to finish the game off for the Dawgs, and the hits continued for the Racers with a lead-off single from Fagan and a walk to Hugo. Thomas delivered the big blow in the inning with a two-run triple and Montalvo followed with an RBI double to finish the six-run inning to put Akron ahead 12-0.
The Dawgs will face the Racers tomorrow night at the Scrap Yard Complex in the final game of a two-game series before travelling to Akron for a two-game set.
About the Akron Racers
The Akron Racers, headquartered in Akron, OH, are the oldest existing team in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league, celebrating their 15th Season of Play in 2016. The Racers competed in the Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL) for two seasons in 1999 and 2000 and in the NPF since 2004. Historic Firestone Stadium is home to the Racers and numerous amateur events at all levels of play.
About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
