Racers Fall to Pride, 3-2

By Catrina Olsen

The Akron Racers took a 3-2 loss against the USSSA Pride. The Racers played strong defense and received a solid pitching outing, the offense battled back late in the game, but by the time the bats came alive, it was too late.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Akron was able to put a run on the board. Sami Fagan reached base with a single. Kelley Montalvo followed her up with a single. Fagan was then able to score on an RBI double by Shellie Robinson.

The Pride (10-2) answered that run with one of their own in the top of the fourth inning. Shelby Pendley hit a bomb over the centerfield fence for a solo homerun.

The Pride took the lead in the top of the 5th inning with two more runs, as Megan Wiggins hit a home run with Kirsti Merritt on second to take a 3-1 lead over the Racers.

The score remained 3-1 until the bottom of the seventh inning when A.J Andrews was hit by a pitch which put her at first. Montalve was able to get a double that scored Andrews. The game ended with a 3-2 defeat for the Racers.

“I was just trying to have a good at bat for the team to keep the inning going” stated Kelley Montalvo about her last at bat in the game.”

Starting pitcher Sara Groenewegen took the loss, allowing three runs in five innings, but manager Charlotte Morgan was impressed with her outing.

“I thought Sara threw great. She had two mistakes and you wish you could take those back, but you have got to be able to keep the ball in the park,” Morgan said. “But overall, I thought she threw really well and I thought (Rachele) Fico came in and did a good job, you know she hasn’t seen the game in a few weeks.”

Akron (6-8) will host the Beijing Shougang Eagles Sunday at 4:05 p.m. Following that game the Eagles will face the Pride at 6:35 p.m. at Firestone Stadium.