Solid Pitching and Hot Bats Lead Racers 8-1 Win in Series Sweep of Rebellion

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Akron, OH – June 15, 2014 - The Racers took the field Saturday looking to extend their four game winning streak. With Rachele Fico (above) in the circle for the Racers, and Sarah Pauly toeing the rubber for the Rebellion, the game looked like a pitchers’ duel from the start.

“Fico gives her all every single time she goes out there,” said catcher Jessica Garcia. “We just have to score runs for her, and that’s what we did – mixing pitches and our offense just going to work.”

Fico threw three scoreless innings, before the Rebellion put a run on the board in the fourth. An error by Ashley Thomas at second allowed Brittney Lindley to reach and a sac bunt from Salling moved her to second. Catcher Taylor Edwards singled and drove in the first run of the game.

In the fifth, however, the Racers bats came alive. Garcia (below) doubled, and a passed ball allowed pinch runner Olivia Watkins to advance to second. An RBI single from Stephanie Tofft would bring a pitching change for the Rebellion, as Dallas Escobedo, the top draft pick in the 2014 NPF draft, would enter the game in relief of Pauly.

The pitching change wouldn’t slow the Racers bats. Karino singled to drive in Tofft, and Nadia Taylor doubled to put runners on second and third. Jill Barrett then singled over a leaping Salling at short to drive in Taylor. A Brianna Cherry single would load the bases and bring up Jessica Garcia, who reentered the game for her second at bat in the inning. Her grand slam soared over the center field fence, and gave the Racers the 8-1 lead that would become the final score.

“I was just looking to hit something hard,” Garcia said of her second home run on the season. “She [Escobedo] beat me two times before, in the other game, so I was just looking to hit something hard.”

The eight run inning was more than enough for the Racers and gave Fico her fourth win of the season. She threw a complete game allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 batters. Pauly recorded the loss, throwing 4 innings and allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, with 6 strikeouts. The win was the Racers 5th in a row, and improves their record to 7-5.

OFFICIAL BOX SCORE: Click Here

SITE: Firestone Stadium

SCORE: Rebellion 1, Racers 8

RECORDS: Rebellion (2-10) Racers (7-5)

The Racers travel to Dallas, Texas to take on the USSSA Pride on June 21 at 8:05 pm ET. For more information about the Akron Racers visit www.akronracers.org or call (330) 376-8188

The Rebellion returns home Wednesday, June 18 against the Chicago Bandits at 7:05 p.m ET.  For tickets and/or group packages, contact the CONSOL Energy Park Box Office at 724.250.7412.

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