RACERS TAKE GAME ONE OF SERIES VERSUS NEW ENGLAND
 

Akron, Ohio - Thanks to a Kristen Butler homerun and another fine pitching performance from Radara McHugh, the Akron Racers defeated the New England Riptide 3-1 at Firestone Stadium Wednesday.

 

With just two weeks left in the National Pro Fastpitch regular season, each game heightens in importance, especially when two potential playoff teams collide.  The Racers (24-16) entered Wednesday's game in fourth place in the NPF standings while their Riptide (22-12) opponents had a hold on second.  The game had a postseason feeling to it all evening.

 

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth catcher Kristen Butler watched teammates Oli Keohohou and Stephanie Pomes both record singles to start the inning.  Bats have been quiet as of late for the defending NPF Champions, but they awoke, even it was for a single at-bat.  Butler took the Jocelyn Forest (14-3) offering and drilled it over the left-field fence for her fourth homerun of the season, giving the Racers a 3-1 lead.

 

The score would remain deadlocked at that margin for the rest of the game as Radara McHugh (12-7) started to make quick work of the Riptide line-up.  McHugh tossed a complete game that included just the one run, on six hits, while striking out eight.  She retired the last eight batters she faced and has lowered her ERA to 1.34.

 

The lone run she allowed was in the second inning when she gave up a leadoff walk to catcher KJ Kelley who came around to score on Lisa Iancin's fourth triple of the year.   

 

Keohohou went 3-for-3 in the game for the Racers while Butler and Amber Hall each tallied a multi-hit game. 

 

New England's Forest lost for just the third time this season, but her 14 wins still lead the league.

 

The two teams match-up again tomorrow night in a 7:05 contest.  Great seats are still available and fans can call the Akron Racers ticket office at 330-376-8188 for more information.