Pitching Dominates as Thunder Squeak Past Racers

Akron, Ohio, June 22, 2007 - One day after Cat Osterman and Alicia Hollowell battled in a classic pitcher's duel, the Racers went up against the Thunder in game two of their four game series in a very similar manner.  Although, the style was similar the result was different as  Rockford (12-5) edged out a victory 2-0.

Hollowell took to the circle again for the Racers, after throwing 115 pitches the night before.  Although not the dominant performance from last night, Hollowell pitched very well for Akron (8-2) going the distance for her second complete game in as many nights.

Hollowell quieted the Thunder in the first two innings holding a shut out into the third.  With one out, the Racer pitcher walked third baseman Jackie Wong.  Wong proceeded to steal second base and the next batter, Amanda Freed, plated Wong with a single to center to drive in her first RBI of the season.

The Thunder added another run in the top of the fourth when a sacrifice fly by Kristen Zaleski brought home pinch runner Noelle Adams.

That would be the last noise the Thunder would make as Hollowell went on to hold Rockford to two runs by recording the last 11 outs in the same number of batters faced.   A streak that began with Zaleski's sacrifice fly.

On the night, Hollowell gave up eight hits and two walks while getting two strike outs. 

The Racer rookie dropped to 1-1 as giving up even one run would have been too much on this night.

Rockford hurler, Serena Settlemier, brought a 12-inning scoreless streak into Firestone Stadium and she wasn't about to let it end.  Starting in the bottom of the second inning, with Veronica Wootson on second base and nobody out, Settlemier got shortstop Kristin Johnson to sacrifice Wootson to third.  The Racers looked ready to start a streak, but the out by Johnson started a streak of 14 Racer hitters retired in a row.

The Racers attempted to mount another rally in the bottom of the seventh when Wootson reached on a fielder's choice to give the Racers one out.  After a fly out by Kristin Johnson, designated player Jenn Poore hit a single  to put runners on first and second.  An attempt to pick off Wootson backfired as she advanced to third.  With runners on the corners and two outs Racer right fielder hit a lazy fly ball foul in right field that looked  to be the final out of the game.  However, Thunder outfielder Amanda Freed dropped the ball giving the Racers one more shot.

Settlemier went on to take care of business getting McCoy to strike out swinging.

Settlemier (5-2) went seven innings giving up four hits, two walks and striking out six, while extending her scoreless inning streak to 19.

The Racers and Thunder will play game three of this back and forth series between two of the NPF's best tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM.

For ticket information you can contact the Racer ticket office at (330)376-8188.