RACERS, McHUGH, IMPRESSIVE IN GAME ONE WIN OVER CHICAGO

Akron, Ohio - The Akron Racers welcomed the first place Chicago
Bandits (30-10) to town Thursday night, and they wasted no time
reminding the Bandits that the Racers are the defending National Pro
Fastpitch champions by defeating Chicago 5-0.

Behind a superb performance by Radara McHugh (14-7) in the circle and
a jump started offense the Racers (27-17) dominated all night.

McHugh retired the first seven she faced, as well as the last 11.  The
Racer hurler only allowed a pair of hits and a pair of walks in her
victory and allowed no Bandits to reach second base.  McHugh's effort
dropped her ERA to a league best 1.19.  For McHugh it was her second

consecutive complete game shut-out and she has pitched 20 and 2/3 scoreless

innings dating back to August 9th.

As well as McHugh was rolling, the offense was doing just as well.  In
the bottom of the first, the Racers greeted Bandits' starter Missy
Beseres (2-1) by getting the first four batters on base.  After
walking Iyhia McMichael and Amber Hall to start the game, a double by Caitlin
Benyi, her first of three hits, to left-field scored two.  A batter
later Benyi touched home on an Oli Keohohou single.  The Racers would
go on to leave the bases loaded, but the damage of a three run first
inning was done.

From there the offense was on cruise control.  Akron would add another
run in both the fourth and fifth innings as Kristin Johnson, who went
2-for-2, scored in the fourth and Kristen Butler scored in the
fifth on a solo home run to left-center.  It was Butler's fifth longball of the year.  

The Racers and Bandits are both headed for the playoffs and the two
finish up their regular season with the final three games of their
four game series Friday night through Sunday.  For more information
contact the Racers at (330)376-8188.