Racers Speed Past Beijing, 12-2, in Home Opener

By Catrina Olsen

The Akron Racers cruised to a 12-2 win over the Beijing Shougang Eagles in their home opener on Wednesday night.

Beijing scored their first run in the top of the first inning, as Chen Jia reached second on a throwing error and was driven in by Xi Kai Lin with a single.

The Racers were able to combat that one run with two of their own in the bottom of the first. The first run for the Racers came from A.J. Andrews, who singled, then stole second. She then scored all the way from second on a bunt by Ashley Thomas. Kelley Montalvo doubled and was driven in by Shellie Robinson to give the Racers a 2-1 lead.

Griffin Joiner started another rally for the Racers in the bottom of the second, smacking a double, and Thomas drove her in to make it 3-1.

Beijing answered back in the third, as Jia doubled and Wang Bei drove her in with a single.

It was all Racers after that.

Thomas and Montalvo each homered in the fourth inning.

“Everybody did something different, it was great seeing our whole team do something amazing.” stated Montalvo.

Maddy Grimm added on with a two-run bomb in the sixth.

Emily Weiman pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out eight on the night to earn the win.

“I was just trusting my defense and my catcher, Griffin. It was a good team win all around…The entire team, it was really nice to see our bench come up,” Weiman said.

The Racers (5-7) will be back in action again at Firestone Stadium on June 22nd at 7:05 PM against Beijing.