McKinney, TX - (July 31, 2016) – The Dallas Charge overcame an early 5-0 deficit to win a seesaw affair Sunday afternoon at Craig Ranch against the Akron Racers 10-8. Game one of the three game series featured 21 hits between the two teams including six doubles and three home runs.
Both squads left nine runners on base. Akron used four pitchers and the Charge pitched three. Jill Compton picked up the win for the Charge going three and one-third innings in relief of Vanessa Stokes who allowed five runs on five hits, all earned. She hit two batters and did not make it out of the second inning. Morgan Melloh earned the save throwing the final two innings for Dallas.
The game started badly for the Charge. A.J. Andrews, Ashley Thomas and Sami Fagan all reached via the free pass. Hits by Sam Fisher and Taylor Schlopy cleared the bases giving Akron a 3-0 lead. The second inning was more of the same. A two-out Thomas double was followed Fagan double that plated Thomas. Fisher walked ending the day for Charge pitcher Vanessa Stokes. A subsequent Schlopy single up the middle scored Fagan to push the Akron lead to 5-0.
In the bottom of the second inning things began to turn for the Charge. Chelse Forkin lead off with a line drive over the right center field fence to get Dallas on the board.
The Charge took the lead in the bottom of the third scoring five runs. Kylee Lahners got things started with a single and then stole second. Lauren Haeger got hit by a pitch in front of a Kaylyn Castillo three-run bomb to left center. The blast cut the lead to 5-4. Forkin rolled a ball to third that was misplayed and she reached first safely. That base runner signaled the end of the night for Racer starter Jailyn Ford. She made way for Laura Winter who was unable to put out the fire. After a ground out, Danielle Henderson hit a towering fly ball to left that just cleared the fence and reached the bleachers, giving the Charge a 6-5 edge.
The Racers immediately responded and tied the game on the strength of a Fagan double to right and Shellie Robinson single.
The scored remained tied into the fifth when the Charge got two. The Charge loaded the bases with a walk, a hit and fielder’s choice. Renada Davis doubled to left, giving Dallas an 8-6 lead.
The Charge extended the advantage to four by adding two more in the bottom of the sixth. Again Dallas loaded the bases in the frame. Kaitlyn Richardson singled home two more and the Charge led 10-6.
The top of the seventh, the Racers fought back scored two and had the tying run on second before Melloh closed the door with a strike out.
Davis and Castillo each had two hits. Richardson collected three. Davis, Henderson and Richardson all had two RBI’s. Castillo knocked in three.
Akron’s Andrews, Fagan and Schlopy also had two hits apiece. Fagan scored three times. Andrews, Fischer and Schlopy each knocked in two.
The Charge improved their record to 14-25 on the season. The Racers fell to 20-21. The Charge will take on the Akron Racers again on Monday night.
Charge 10 Racers 8 Box Score 7-31-16
About Dallas Charge
The Dallas Charge, headquartered in McKinney, TX, began competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Dallas Charge at www.dallascharge.com
About National Pro Fastpitch:
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
Note to Media
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