RACERS TAKE FIRST GAME IN SERIES AGAINST THE NEW ENGLAND RIPTIDE 5-3

The New England Riptide took the field Wednesday June 28 for the first of a four game home series with the Akron Racers.  The Racers are currently second in league standings but are without the help of three of their starters for the series.  Crystl Bustos, Jamie Southern and Jenny Topping were all lost to the US National team.  Bustos currently leads the league in batting average, 0.457, homeruns, 6 and RBI’s, 17 while Sourthern leads the league in pitching wins, 4 and ERA, 0.60.  The Riptide looked to capitalize on these key Akron loses and come away with their seventh win of the season.

Akron got on the board early in the game, with two outs in the top of the first inning. Caitlyn Benyi was on first after being walked by Riptide pitcher Danielle Henderson when Akron’s Oli Keohohou blasted a homerun over the left field fence to make the score 2-0 Racers.  At game time Keohohou was tied for second in the league for homeruns with 4.  Henderson struck out Akron’s Kristen Butler to end the inning.

The Racers were able to hold New England offensively in the bottom of the first, but could not contain the rolling ‘Tide in the bottom of the second.  Leadoff batter Tarrah Beyster walked and Kristine Botto was entered to pinch run.  Botto was caught stealing by Akron catcher Butler right before Lyndsey Angus homered over the centerfield fence cutting the Racers lead to one, 2-1.  Akron pitcher Brandee McArthur struck out Scavone before KJ Kelley hit a double past left fielder Amber Hall.  Lisa Iancin walked to put two on for the Riptide with two outs.  McArthur ended the Riptide advance striking out Destiny Frankenstein to put the inning away.

The Riptide struggled to contain the Racers in the top of the third.  Henderson walked both Emily Price and Iyhia McMichael putting two on for Akron.  Henderson struck out Kristin Johnson and a base hit by Benyi loaded the bases for the Racers.  Keohohou grounded out to first but scored Price to put Akron on top 3-1. 

New England quickly answered the Akron run.  Kristin Vesely, Jackie Pasquerella and Lindy Winkler hit three consecutive singles to load the bases for the Riptide.  Angus came to the plate with one out in the inning and single scoring both Vesely and Pasquerella, tying it up 3-3.

Henderson shut down the Racers offense in the top of the fourth but struggled in the fifth.  Price led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  After McMichael grounded out to Iancin at second Price scored on another wild pitch by Henderson putting Akron ahead 4-3.

Radara McHugh relieved Akron pitcher McArthur in the bottom of the fourth and was able to contain the Riptide offense in both the fourth and fifth inning.  McArthur remained in the game as the desingnated player.

New England’s Jocelyn Forest came in to relieve Henderson after Butler singled and McArthur doubled putting two runners in scoring position for the Racers.  Sara Laquier came in to pinch hit for Tracee McCoy and reached first on a dropped third strike that allowed McArthur to score increasing the Racers lead 5-3.

The Riptide managed to hold the Racers throughout the remainder of the game but could not rally to gain the lead and ended up dropping the game 5-3.  Henderson collected seven strikeouts on the night but took the loss for the game while McHugh was recorded as the winning pitcher.

The Riptide look to take the next game of the series from the Racers tomorrow June 29 at 7:05 pm.  The game marks the Riptide debut on Fox Sports Net New England.  It will be taped live and will air Saturday June 1, check your local listings for the exact time.