Four-Run First Holds Up For Thunder;
Win 4-3 Rider Goes Deep in 1st; Team USA to Visit Next

LEAGUE CITY, Texas – The Texas Thunder earned a series split with the visiting Akron Racers in a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) tilt on Saturday night by knocking them off 4-3 at Big League Dreams.

After waiting out a storm in the area for nearly an hour both teams got on the board in the first inning, but Texas managed to score three more.

Akron got on the board in the top half of the inning without the ad of a hit. Iyhia McMichael, who finished the series with the Thunder 8-for-11, led off with a walk and came all the way around to score.

The Thunder (16-16) wasted little time to get on the board in their half of the first. Kristen Zaleski also led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a bunt and came in to score on a close play at the plate on a single by Lindsay Gardner. Karrie Rider was the next batter to come to the plate and she launched a three-run home run to left field for the only Thunder runs of the game.

The home run for Rider was her third of the season. She now has 13 RBI's on the year.

Akron battled back in the fifth inning to close the gap to 4-3, but they couldn't get any closer. The Racers used three hits, including a McMichael double, to score their two runs in the inning.

Nicole Neuerburg got the start in the circle for the Thunder and she picked up the win to improve to 3-3 on the season. She went 4 1/3 innings in the game, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Serena Settlemier relieved Neuerburg in the circle and was fantastic. The rookie went 2 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit. She struck out the final six outs of the game to record her first save of the season.

Radara McHugh dropped to 6-6 with the loss and the Racers fell to 16-14.
Akron now leads the Thunder by two games for the final playoff spot in the league.

Rider and Settlemier were named the Domino's Pizza Co-Players of the Game for their efforts.

The Thunder will return to action on Friday night, July28, for the first game of a four-game series with the United States National Team. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Big League Dreams complex in League City, Texas.

For more information on the Texas Thunder or to purchase tickets, contact Aaron M. Moore, general manager, at (281) 403-2475 or amoore@thunderprofastpitch.com. Additional information is available on the team by visiting www.thunderprofastpitch.com. Special group and team packages are also available by calling the Thunder office.