Aug. 28, 2005

Lisle, Ill. -- Joey Arrietta’s dream of bringing a National Pro Fastpitch championship to the city of Akron has become a reality.

The Akron Racers rallied from a four-run deficit and defeated the top-seeded Chicago Bandits, 5-4, in eight innings Sunday afternoon at the Benedictine University Sports Complex.

For Arrietta, the Racers’ general manager, and field manager Judy Martino, it was a sweet victory, after so many near misses in the past.

"I hope this is the beginning of a great future for pro fastpitch softball in Akron," said Arrietta. "Hopefully this win will help us build a bigger fan base."

The contributors to Akron’s title win were many, but two Racers stood out. The unlikeliest hero was pitcher Radara McHugh, fanning seven batters in 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. Her co-star was center fielder Iyhia McMichael, who snapped a 4-4 tie with a game-winning solo home run in the top of the eighth.

"If I put myself in Judy’s (Martino) shoes, I would have gone with (pitchers) Jamie (Southern) and Brandee (McArthur)," said McHugh, an Oklahoma native and assistant softball coach at Kent State University.

"Radara’s not overpowering, but she gets the job," said Martino. "She’s kind of like the unsung hero on our team."

McHugh came on for Jamie Southern with one out and the bases loaded in the fourth. The Bandits, already leading 4-0, were threatening to break it wide open. McHugh struck out No. 3 hitter Jaime Clark and retired clean up batter Jennie Finch on a lazy fly to center.

"I love pressure situations," said McHugh. "I’m excited that I was able to get into the game and have such an impact."

Energized by their escape, the Racers scored three times in the top of the fifth against Chicago starter Lauren Bay. With one out, Kristin Johnson reached on an error and Crystl Bustos followed with a single. Oli Keohohou’s double to right center brought home Johnson. When Niocle Trimboli walked, Bustos scored on a wild pitch ball four. Lindsey Bashor’s infield single brought home Keohohou. Finch then came on in relief and got Kelly Kretschman on a fly out.

In the top of the seventh, Jenny Topping ripped a one-out double off the fence in right field. Pinch runner Jackie Poggendorf scored the tying run when Trimboli hit a high chopper over the head of first baseman Christina Enea. Second baseman Anne Steffan still had a chance to make a play, but the ball made it under her glove.

If McHugh is Hero 1-A, then McMichael is Hero 1-B. The two-time all-star, having struck out earlier with the bases loaded, redeemed herself by stroking a 3-2 change up from Finch over the left field fence with one out in the top of the eighth. The Racers had plated five runs against the NPF’s co-pitchers of the year.

"I had a feeling she was going to throw me another change up," said McMichael, last season’s NPF Most Valuable Player. McMichael double clutched on her swing and hit a line drive to give Akron a 5-4 lead.

McHugh closed the door in the bottom half of the eighth to clinch the Racers’ first championship in four NPF seasons. Finch (15-1) took her first loss of the season.

"Being down 3-0 in the first inning was demoralizing," said Arrietta. "But instead of looking at the scoreboard, (the Racers) attacked the game. It was an incredible comeback."