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SOUTHERN PITCHES
NO-HITTER, RACERS SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER
Akron , Ohio – Jamie
Southern pitched her second no-hitter of the season
and led the Akron Racers to a 2-0 victory in game
one of a doubleheader against the Chinese Taipei on
Saturday. The Racers (9-5) also won game two 5-2 to
complete the sweep of the doubleheader.
Southern was outstanding in the
circle, allowing only three base runners, all of
which reached via walks. She opened the Racers'
2006 season by tossing a no-hitter and improves to
4-1 on the year.
Crystl Bustos provided some fireworks
at the plate as she homered in both games. She
broke-up a scoreless tie in the fourth inning of
game one with a solo shot to straightaway center.
An insurance run was added in the sixth when Caitlin
Benyi drew a bases loaded walk that brought in Iyhia
McMichael.
The Chinese Taipei National Team
jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first
inning in game two, plating two runs against Racer
starter Brandee McArthur. The lead was short-lived
though as Bustos blasted a two-run home run to left
in the bottom of the frame, her league leading sixth
longball of the season, to tie the game.
McArthur settled down after the first
allowing only two hits and one walk the rest of way
for Akron. She tossed a complete game, striking out
six in the process, and evened her record at 2-2.
The score remained tied at two until
a McMichael sacrifice fly in the fourth
scored Kristen Butler from third. The Racers
notched a second run in that inning following
Kristin Johnson's RBI single to center. Johnson
went 3-for-4 with 2-RBI and a run scored in game
two.
For third baseman Crystl Bustos and
catcher Jenny Topping this was their last game with
the Racers this season. Both players were selected
to play for the United States National Team and
leave Akron on Sunday. Pitcher Jamie Southern will
also join the national squad and will leave at the
end of this weekend's series.
The Racers and Chinese Taipei team
will play the final game of the four-game set Sunday
at Firestone Stadium. First pitch is schedule for
6:00 pm. This is a make-up game for the contest
that was rained out Friday evening. For ticket
information please contact the Akron Racers' box
office at 330-376-8188.
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