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Photo of Angela Findlay |
AKRON, Ohio (July 26, 2010) – The Bandits’ ability to hit the long ball helped them evade a series sweep as they overcame five errors in the field and a four-run deficit to defeat the Racers, 8-6 at Firestone Stadium tonight.
The back-and-forth slugfest, which featured a combined five home runs eventually culminated with a six-run Bandit sixth inning which the Racers were unable to recover from.
The win improves the first place Bandits to 20-12, building their league lead back to two games while the Racers fall to 17-14 and slide into third place.
Nikki Nemitz (4-2) registered the win from the bullpen in two innings of work, surrendering just one unearned run on a hit, striking out one Racer while Kristina Thorson earned her second save of the year in two scoreless innings. Jamee Juarez (5-7) was saddled with the tough-luck loss in seven complete, giving up eight runs (five earned) on nine hits, she also struck out three.
For the second time this series, the Bandits’ lead off batter in Stacy May put the visitors in front on a solo home run—her league-leading 10th shot but poor defensive play from her team, squandered the early advantage.
In the bottom of the first, Lisa Modglin reached second on a May throwing error before scoring on a Jess Valis single and Emily Friedman fielding error as the second baseman failed to hang onto May’s quick release. The ensuing play saw Samantha Ricketts single to right but Angela Findlay misplayed the ball and enabled Valis to score from third, giving the Racers a 2-1 lead.
The Bandit home run power was again on display in the fourth when Angela Findlay crushed her fourth homer of the year on a line shot to right to tie the game but it would again be for naught when the Racers came to bat.
Akron managed four runs in the fourth to build a 6-2 lead. Micaela Minner led off with a solo home run to put the Racers back in front before Mackenzie Vandergeest walked and Jackie Pasquerella punched a single into center. Nemitz, on in relief of starter Jessica Sallinger, got the next batter to strikeout before May’s second error of the contest let Valis reach first while pinch runner Clare Burnum scored. A wild pitch scored Pasquerella and Crsytl Bustos’ RBI single to left drove in Akron’s fourth run.
A pair of Racer errors extended the sixth inning for the Bandits, paving the way for a six-run inning to erase Akron’s two-run lead. Nemitz singled and Friedman reached on a fielder’s choice before Chicago slugger Rachel Mitchell clubbed a two-out two-run homer to bring the Bandits within two. Errors on Valis and Montalvo allowed May and Amber Patton to reach base before Bandit powerhouse Rachel Folden cleared the bases on a homer to left field, putting the Bandits ahead, 8-6.
Thorson came in and closed the door across the final frames without allowing a hit. Akron’s only baserunners came in the sixth on a Bandit error and fielder’s choice in the sixth.
The Racers return to NPF action this week when the Tennessee Diamonds visit Firestone Stadium July 29 through August 1. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
www.akronracers.org or call 330-376-8188.
