Racers Cruise past Japan
in Grand Fashion
Akron, Ohio, July, 15,
2007 - After
three straight games of
the deficit being two or
less runs, the Akron
Racers exploded and blew
out Denso Japan 10-0 to
end the series.
The tone
was set in the bottom of
the third with the game
still scoreless. Tracee
McCoy, Veronica Wootson
and Norrelle Dickson all
singled loading the
bases for the Racers
(16-8). Catcher Kristen
Butler stepped up with
one out and launched a
grand slam into left
field to break the game
open at 4-0.
The
Racers weren't done
scoring and picked
things up in the very
next inning. Ianetta
Le'i started off the
bottom of the fourth
with a single to left
field. Two batters
later Tracee McCoy
singled to shallow right
to put runners on the
corners with pinch
runner Sara Zilles on
third base and McCoy on
first.
While
Japan starter Risa Uno
was holding the ball
between pitches McCoy
broke for second base
and Zilles stole home on
the throw to second.
Japan attempted to get
Zilles out at the
plate allowing McCoy to
steal second base.
A batter
later, Dickson singled
to left to plate McCoy.
Iyhia McMichael
immediately followed the
single up by driving a
home run to left field
scoring her and Dickson.
That
would close the book on
Uno who gave up eight
runs on ten hits in four
innings of work while
picking up the loss.
The
Racers scored their
final runs of the ball
game when Jamee Juarez
hit a sacrifice fly to
right field to score
Kellie Middleton, and
Wootson hit a double to
left field to score
Kristin Johnson in the
bottom of the fifth.
The ten
runs put up by the
Racers nearly doubled
their run total for the
series, as they only
scored 11 runs in the
first three games.
While the
Racers offense was
putting up big numbers
Jamee Juarez (8-4) was
blanking Denso Japan.
Japan never could get
anything going
offensively and only got
a runner to second base
twice, with two outs
both times. Juarez had
six strikeouts while
only allowing three hits
and four walks in seven
innings pitched.
The
Racers await the NPF
leading Washington Glory
who come to Akron July
25-28.
For more
ticket information you
can contact the Akron
Racers at (330)376-8188.
