2009-08-09
Racers Take Series From Bandits with 4-0 Rubber Match Victory
 ELGIN, Ill. – The Akron Racers (26-14) dropped the Chicago Bandits (23-11), 4-0 at the Judson University Sports Complex in Elgin, Ill. to snag the Rubber Match and series win over the league-leading Bandits, 4-1.
Jamee Juarez (3-1) earned the victory for the Racers in 3.2 innings of work in the circle, holding the Bandits to just three hits, tallying as many strikeouts on the day. Kate Robinson picked up her first save on the year, picking up where Juarez left off with 3.1 innings of relief work, allowing just one hit while registering four strikeouts.
Jennie Finch (5-2) took the tough luck loss for the home club after allowing four runs (one earned) in 5.2 innings of work with four walks issued and five strikeouts recorded.
Finch's former US National teammate would get the action started early as Crystl Bustos put the Racers ahead atop the fourth with authority, blasting a solo shot off Finch over the scoreboard in left field for a 1-0 lead. The homer was Bustos' league-leading 10th big fly on the season.
The Racers would extend that lead atop the sixth when Jackie Pasquerella led off with a sharp knock to Finch which the pitcher couldn’t handle before advancing to second on a passed ball. Jenny Topping would follow with a solid blast up the middle which Bandits’ second baseman Kristie Fox couldn’t field, enabling Pasquerella to score from second to put the Racers ahead, 2-0. Juarez followed with a walk to put runners at first and second before a groundout advanced both runners to second and third. Another Fox mishap and heads-up Racers’ base-running resulted in both runs scoring as Robinson hammered a shot which the second baseman could not control, putting the Racers ahead 4-0.
After allowing a single to Finch to leadoff the sixth inning, Robinson buckled down across the final two innings to retire the next six Bandits in order, hanging on for her first save on the year.
The Racers are absent from competition next week and will wait to see how the rest of the league concludes play before the Championship Series opens in Akron, Ohio, August 19-23rd. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit NPF Championship Series Information for more information. |
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