AKRON
Racers grab nation’s
premier pitcher,
angela tincher in
2008 draft
Virginia Tech
All-American Records
Top ERA (0.56) in
2007
Akron, OH---Joey
Arrietta, Pres./GM
of the Akron Racers,
announced today that
Virginia Tech
All-America pitcher
Angela Tincher
would join the
Racers for the 2008
summer season.
Arrietta made a
pivotal trade with
the Rockford Thunder
in the first round
to move up in the
draft order from
fifth to third to
secure Tincher’s
selection.
Tincher is among the
nation’s Top 50
players on the ASA
Watch List for the
2008 Collegiate
Player of the Year.
This is her second
appearance on the
Watch List having
been among the 11
finalists in 2007.
Tincher’s resume is
stacked with
incredible numbers
including a 38-7
record, 311.2
innings pitched and
617 strikeouts in
2007. The 617
strikeouts were the
second best in the
nation behind
Tennessee
All-American and
2008 USA Olympic
team member, Monica
Abbott. Angela also
finished second
behind Abbott with
13.9 strikeouts per
game. Overall, the
Eagle Rock native
has posted 1,470
career strikeouts,
the sixth best
performance in NCAA
history.
“Angela is one of
the most gifted
athletes in the
game. Her domination
on the mound this
past year clearly
places her among the
best in the country.
Her All-American
work ethic, tenacity
and fierce
competitiveness
elevates her game
beyond words,”
commented Arrietta.
Arrietta made a
long-distance
selection in the
second round
drafting (11th
pick overall)
Kate Robinson
from the
University of Hawaii.
Robinson shares a
spot in the Watch
List with soon-to-be
teammate Tincher.
Robinson is also the
preseason pick for
WAC Player of the
Year honors.
Robinson is a
pitcher, first
baseman and one of
the nation’s premier
hitters. Kate posted
a 17-1 record and a
2.01 ERA picking up
the WAC Pitcher of
the Year award in
2007. Offensively,
she is a mighty
force blasting 19
homeruns, 13 doubles
and wracking up 71
RBI her junior
season. Robinson hit
.358 included an
incredible .733
slugging percentage.
“Kate is a dynamic
personality that
combines the
athleticism
necessary to
dominate on the
mound and deliver at
the plate. Her
ability to play
first base and
contribute
offensively makes
her a threat anytime
she is in the game,”
noted Arrietta.
The Racers third
selection and the 15th
pick overall was
Tennessee
catcher, Shannon
Doepking.
Doepking, a solid
defensive
specialist, hit .278
with eight doubles
and six homeruns.
“Shannon is, in my
opinion, the best
defensive catcher in
the college game
today. She was
instrumental in the
success of four-time
All-American Monica
Abbott and I think
she will do the same
for our pitching
staff,” explains
Arrietta.
Also in round three,
Arrietta snagged
shortstop
Angelena Mexicano
from Illinois.
Mexicano, from San
Jose, CA, hit .324
with 60 hits
including 13 doubles
and 16 homeruns. She
also scored 56 runs.
“Angelena has some
big shoes to fill
with the loss of
Kristin Johnson but
I believe she has
the quickness and
the glove skills to
be successful at the
pro level.
Offensively, she
fits perfectly into
the Racers’
run-and-gun offense,
“ replied Arrietta.
The Racers final
selection in round
three was offensive
powerhouse Susan
Ogden from
Oklahoma. Ogden, an
outfielder, hit .381
including 56 hits,
10 doubles and three
homeruns. Susan
joins former
teammate, Norrelle
Dickson, the 2007
NPF Batting
Champion, this
coming summer.
“Susan has the big
stick I was looking
for to add to our
lineup. She is a
versatile player who
has faced some of
the best pitchers in
the country as a
member of the
Oklahoma Sooners,”
describes Arrietta.
Arrietta’s last pick
in the 2008 draft
was Brittany
Barnes, an
infield utility
specialist, from
Georgia Tech.
Barnes will play
second this season
but has logged a
significant amount
of games at third
base as well.
Brittany slammed 20
homeruns, 11 doubles
and contributed a
team-high 73 RBI.
“Brittany gives the
Racers a utility
infielder capable of
playing both second
and third base. She
is definitively a
long ball threat
that completed our
plans to add more
power to the Racers
line-up,” remarked
Arrietta.
