THE RIPTIDE FELL TO THE RACERS IN A 1-0 DECISION
 

The New England Riptide was back on Martin Softball Field Saturday,

July 1 for the final game of a four game series with the Akron Racers.

The Riptide fell to the Racers in a 1-0 decision.

The Riptide defense started out strong behind Jocelyn Forest in the

circle. Akron was held scoreless for the first two innings with

Forest earning consecutive strikeouts against Amber Hall and Kristen

Butler to retire the side in the top of the second.

New England was sparked offensively in the bottom of the second but

could not get a run on the board. Lyndsey Angus led off with a single

and Jen Scavone was hit by a pitch to put two on for the Riptide.

Lisa Iancin hit into a fielders choice that allowed Scavone to be

thrown out at second. Iancin stole second and Akron pitcher Radara

McHugh walked Destiny Frankenstein to load the bases for New England

with two outs in the inning. Kristin Vesely was next to the plate

hitting to shortstop Kristin Johnson who threw her out at first to end

the inning and leave three on the bases for New England.

Akron started off the scoring in the top of the third. Sara Larquier

led off with a double to left center field. Kim Gonzalez laid down a

sacrifice bunt that allowed Angus to throw to Iancin at first for the

out but advanced Larquier to third. Iyhia McMichael was next to the

plate sending a deep fly ball to left field that allowed Larquier to

tag up and score giving the Racers a 1-0 lead.

The Riptide remained alive offensively in the bottom of the third but

failed to produce a run. Lindy Winkler blasted a double into left

field with one out in the inning. McHugh handed consecutive walks to

designated player Tarrah Beyster and Lyndsey Angus to load the bases

for the Riptide. Scavone flied out to Johnson at short and second

baseman Caitlin Benyi caught a foul ball off the bat of KJ Kelley to

end the inning leaving three stranded on the bases for the Riptide.

The Riptide contained the Racers at the plate through the sixth

inning but was quieted offensively. Akron managed to hang on to their

one run lead to take the game 1-0. Forest had five strikeouts on the

night despite recording her second loss of the season as a pitcher.

The Riptide ended up dropping the series to the Racers three games to

one.

The Tide are back in action at home on Wednesday July 5 at 7:05 pm

for the first game in a four game series with the Philadelphia Force.

American Idol finalist and Massachusetts native Ayla Brown will be on