Racers Improve to .500 with 3-2 Win over Bandits

By Catrina Olsen

The Akron Racers put up a 3-2 win at Firestone against the Chicago Bandits Tuesday night, improving their record to 8-8 on the season thus far. The Racers are also 4-1 when playing at home this season.

After a quick first inning, the Racers were able to hop of the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Akron scored two runs, as Jenifer Gilbert walked, Kelley Montalvo singled and Nicole Schroeder plated a two-run double to give the Racers the early lead.

“I was just trying to get a hit to help.” Shroeder said.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Bandits were able to match the two runs. Natalie Hernandez started off with a solo home run over the fence. Stacy May reached first with a walk and she later scored by a single from Abby Ramirez.

Neither team was able to put up another run until the bottom of the fifth, when A.J Andrews was driven in off of a triple by Shellie Robinson.

“Shellie came through on a pitch she has been struggling with a little bit,” Charlotte Morgan, the Racers Field Manager said.

Starting pitcher Rachele Fico made her debut on the mound for the Akron Racers.

“I’ve been wanting to get her a start just when I kind of feel like its time…so I thought it would be a good time,” Morgan said.  She pitched four innings allowing only two runs to score. As a pitcher, once a team timed up a pitcher, it was time for a change. Alexis Silkwood was the perfect offset. With Fico being a right-handed pitcher, Morgan thought bringing in a left-handed pitcher would do just the trick, and that it did in the fifth inning. Silkwood did her job, she allowed the defense to make the plays while she pitched her game. “I can go out there and get ground ball outs” stated Alexis Silkwood after the game.  Fico pitched four innings with two runs allowed and a strike out. Silkwood pitched three shutout innings in relief to finish out the 3-2 victory.

“It’s a fun game, I mean we’re playing softball, how much better can you get?” asked Silkwood.

Akron will face off against the Bandits (11-10) again Wednesday at Firestone Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. For information or to order tickets, contact the Racers ticket office at 330-376-8188.