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RACERS DROP GAME ONE
Akron , Ohio – The
Akron Racers struggled in the field and at the plate
in a 3-1 loss to the Chinese Taipei, Wednesday at
Firestone Stadium.
Two first inning errors committed by
the Racers (7-5) opened the door for the Chinese
National team to plate two runs and take an early
lead. Lai Meng Ting leadoff of the game with a
single to center and advanced to third when Crystl
Bustos made a throwing error on a groundball hit by
Lo Hsiao Ting.
With runners on second and third
shortstop Kristin Johnson misplayed a grounder
allowing the first Chinese run to score. Hsiao Ting
notched the second run after stealing home on a
designed double steal. Both runs were unearned for
Akron's starting pitcher Jamie Southern (3-1), who
lost for the first time this season.
The Racers were held scoreless until
the bottom of the fifth when catcher Jenny Topping
drilled her first home run of the season over
the wall in left. The solo shot brought Akron back
within two runs at 3-1.
Two Chinese Taipei pitchers combined
to allow only four hits and frustrated the Racers'
bats for most of the evening. Akron did
have scoring opportunities in both the sixth and
seventh innings but the team couldn't come up with a
big hit.
Bustos flew out to center on an
off-speed pitch leaving Iyhia Michael stranded on
third base in the sixth.
Another scoring threat came up short
in the closing frame. Caitlin Benyi was up 3-0 in
the count but ended up striking out swinging. The
Racers managed to put runners on first and second
but relief pitcher Lai Sheng Jung got Tracee McCoy
to go down swinging for the final out of the game.
The Racers and the Chinese Taipei
will play game two of the four-game series Thursday
night at Firestone Stadium. First pitch is
scheduled for 7:05. Great seats remain for the game
and fans can contact the Akron Racers' ticket office
at 330-376-8188.
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