TINCHER NO-HITS DEFENDING CHAMPION WASHINGTON GLORY:

RACERS SNAP FOUR GAME LOSING STREAK

After a four game losing streak and 17 straight scoreless innings of softball, the Akron Racers found themselves against the ropes on Saturday in the finale of a four-game series against the Washington Glory.

The match-up featured the two most prominent pitchers in NCAA softball the past two seasons in Taryne Mowatt of Washington (formerly of the University of Arizona), and Angela Tincher of Akron (formerly of Virginia Tech, and last season’s NCAA Player of the Year).

Tincher (1-1) bounced back from her first start, outdueling Mowatt with a no-hitter for her first professional win.

With the pair on the mound, the game moved at the pace of a gazelle, with each working through opponents line-ups easily, allowing a minimal amount of baserunners. Mowatt allowed one hit the entire game—to the first batter she faced all night in India Chiles. Mowatt struck out six, and walked two.

Despite Mowatt’s dominance, the real story was Angela Tincher. After her debut Wednesday, where she struck out seven and allowed 5 earned runs, Tincher was unstoppable, striking out nine and tossing the no-no, only allowing four Washington hitters to reach base.

She finished off Jessica Moore with a strikeout in the top of the seventh inning to set the stage for the late inning heroics of the Racers offense. The Racers scoreless streak ran to 23 consecutive innings, when third baseman Kate Robinson hit a line drive off  right fielder Nicole Barber's leg, and sprinted to second base with a two-base error. After an Angelena Mexicano sacrifice bunt, Robinson moved to third base with two outs.

Susan Ogden then stepped to the plate and hit a ground ball to Glory shortstop Courtney Bures. As the throw sailed wide left of first base, the Racers celebrated the end of a four game losing streak, the end of a scoreless innings streak, and the first no-hitter in the young career of Tincher.

The Racers will next host the Netherlands National Team on Jun. 18 at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Racers at 330-376-8188 or by visiting akronracers.org.