AKRON, OHIO- July 31, 2015 – The Akron Racers took control of the diamond Thursday night with an impressive four homeruns in a 10-1 blow-out game against the Dallas Charge.
Once Kelley Montalvo (Alabama) hit the first homerun of the game to give the Racers a 3-0 lead she ignited the spark that then led to a nine run advantage. Taylor Schlopy (Georgia) led the team in runs with three, one of which was her 8th homerun on the season which leads the NPF. Her latest blast was a drive beyond left field in the bottom of the sixth.
The top of the first ended when Lauren Haeger of the Charge hit a line drive to second base for a double play by Ashley Thomas (Georgia Tech), who snagged Renada Davis as she advanced and hurled the ball to first baseman Briana Hamilton (Florida State) just in time to deliver the Charge’s final out of the inning.
The Racers’ promising defense that opened the game remained strong throughout the remaining six innings, as both teams fought for runs while hustling on the field to hold their opponents early in the game. Akron secured a three run lead though when Montalvo pummeled a three run homerun over the left centerfield fence, to bring in Jennifer Gilbert (Ball State) and Schlopy in the third inning.
The Dallas Charge finally broke free from the Racers’ resilient defensive hold when Taylor Thom advanced home on a single by Haeger in the top of the fifth. Their offensive success was brief as Lisa Norris (North Carolina) struck out the following batter, Nadia Taylor, to cut off Dallas with their only run of the game in the fifth inning.
Akron opened the game with a promising defense but their offense was what made them triumphant, with a daunting four homeruns to give a 10-1 win for the Akron Racers and improve their record 18-18 on the year. The Charge fell to 14-25. Just 3.5 games ahead of the surging PA Rebellion.
The Akron Racers play the Dallas Charge again tomorrow night at 7:05 in Columbus, Ohio at Berliner Park Field #5.
Box Score: https://ow.ly/Qn0kl