Mistakes Lead Philadelphia to Victory over Racers

Akron, Ohio, August 1, 2007 - The Philadelphia Force defeated the Racers 5-0 in what can not be classified as a pretty game for either team as they combined for five errors and left a combined 15 runners on the base paths.

The difference of the game was the team that capitalized off of their opponent's mistakes. The Force (16-17) got all of their runs off of errors starting in the top of the fifth inning and ending with a big rally in the seventh.

A walk to Philadelphia lead off hitter, Clare Burnum, started the fifth inning. The walk was McHugh's first, and only, of the game and proved costly. After two sacrifice bunts moved Burnum to third, Sharonda MacDonald hit a chopper to third baseman Norelle Dickson, who couldn't field the ball allowing MacDonald to reach first and Burnum to score the first run of the game.

McHugh did the job holding the Force at 1-0 until the top of the seventh. Another error proved to be too much for the Racers (18-11) to overcome, with two outs MacDonald hit what should have been the final out of the game for the Force's offense. Instead, second baseman Veronica Wootson bobbled the ball and extended the inning.

With one on and two outs Chelsea Spencer sent a line drive down the left field line that cleared the fence and made the score 3-0 in favor of the Force. The home run was a team best fifth home run for Spencer. Philadelphia wasn't done either. After a single by designated player Jenna Hall, Kellie Wilkerson hit a smash down the right field line to make the score 5-0. The home run was Wilkerson's third hit of the game, going 3-3, and her fourth home run of the season.

McHugh (7-6) got the loss, going seven innings allowing five runs, all unearned, on 11 hits and one walk while striking out five.

For as many mistakes the defense made, Akron's offense was just as inept. A single by Jenn Poore and one by Norelle Dickson were the only two hits got off Force pitcher Kristina Thorson.

Even with only two hits the Racers had their opportunities to score, but were always struck down by Thorson and could not get the big hit needed to break things open.

The best opportunity came in the home half of the second inning when Caitlin Benyi reached on an error by Spencer and and Poore was hit by a Thorson delivery to start the inning. After a sacrifice by Kristin Johnson put runners on second and third with one out, Jamee Juarez attempted to lay down a bunt, but popped it right into the glove of the first baseman Wilkerson for the second out. The bunt was the first of two that Akron hitters would pop up.

Thorson got rightfielder Tracee McCoy to fly out to centerfield to end the threat and keep the shut out alive.

The Racers would load the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs, but were once again unable to make anything happen.

The Racers squandered away any opportunity they had leaving seven base runners on base.

Thorson (10-4) got her tenth victory of the season shutting out the Racers in seven innings on two hits and two walks while striking out five.

Akron tries to rebound tomorrow night in game two of this four game series at 7:05 at Firestone Stadium.

For ticket information contact the Akron Racers at (330)376-8188.

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