WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Leigh Greenfelder, Akron Racers, (EDITED). June 30, 2004: The New York/New Jersey Juggernaut won the the opener of Tuesday's Twilight-Night Doubleheader in Akron, beating the Racers, 3-2 in the opener behind Kaci Clark who picked up her third win of the season, with Amanda Scott picking up the save.
The Nauts lost the nightcap when pitcher Gina Oaks misplayed a sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning that allowed Trena Peel to score the winning run from second, pinch-running for Dana Derek who had doubled to lead off the ninth. The Nauts take their 15-9 record to Sacremento to play the California Sunbirds Thursday night in the opener of a three-game set.
In the opener, The Nauts got things started in the opening frame when "Lightning Leto," (Carri) walked, moved to second on Gina Oaks' bunt and scored on Kellie Wilkerson's single off Brandee McArthur. The Nauts notched two unearned tallies in the third when Jacki Pasquerella was safe on McArthur's error. After Carri Leto popped up and Gina Oaks flied to right, Pasquerella stole second and McArthur lost her control walking Lauren Bauer and Kellie Wilkerson to fill the bases. Then Ms. Clutch, Lisa Iancin singled to left for 2 runs, 3-0, Nauts.
The Racers applied some gas in the third getting 2 back, as Kaci Clark succombed to control difficulties, too. Heather Wright singled and Kaci walked Brandi Stuart and Anoinette Armstrong to load 'em up. Iyhia McMichael, who beat the Nauts Sunday afternoon, delivered a hard single to left field, plating Wright and Stuart, 3-2, Nauts after three. And that was the way she stayed as Clark pitched through the fifth, and Amanda Scott finished the Racers off with two innings of uneventful relief.
The nightcap was another classic Naut extra inning battle featuring former Stratford Brakette standout, Nikki Meyers in the circle who handcuffed the Nauts going all the way for a 2 to 1 win, outduelling Gina Oaks. Gina and Nikki matched each other for four innings before both teams scored in the 5th.
Lindsey Collins-Miller, Naut backstop, doubled home Lisa Iancin who had walked for a short-lived 1-0 Naut lead, and Lindsey was stranded. In the last of the fifth, the Racers' Kristin Johnson tripled and scored on an errant relay to the plate. Johnson was awarded home anyway when third bassette, Jackie Pasquerella was called for interfering with Johnson. And that's the way she stayed until Oaks' fateful error in the ninth.
Grass Roots Support in Akron.
WPCNR checked with Paul Panegas, Sports Editor of the Akron Beacon-Journal told WPNCR by telephone, on how the Akron club has been drawing. Panegas said the Racers have been attracting a hard core of fans, averaging about 250 fans a game at Firestone Stadium, despite being plagued by bad weather. He said the team has drawn a couple of crowds in access of 1,000 fans. He said his paper has featured the minority members of the team, and done a number of stories on the team. Panegas said he relies on reports from the team for road results because the Associated Press wire does not carry the scores of the National Pro Fastpitch league.
Leigh Greenfelder, Akron Racers spokesperson, told WPCNR the Akron television station covered the doubleheader last night and did several interviews with the players. She said the local television station has done features on the players and gives the scores of Racer games. She added that the Cleveland stations have not caught on to the Racers yet, "but we're working on them."
Last night's crowd in Akron was 315 fans and Greenfelder said she hoped to get the attendance up to 800 fans a game.
National Pro Fastpitch Standings June 30, 2004
W L PCT. GB
Texas Thunder 14 7 .667 ____
Akron Racers 12 7 ,632 1
Juggernaut 15 9 ,625 1
Arizona Heat 9 14 .391 6
New England Riptide 9 15 .375 6-1/2
California Sunbirds 8 15 .348 7
Tuesday's Results
New England 1, California 0, 15 innings.
Texas 5, Arizona 0.
New York-New Jersey 3, Akron 2, (1st)
Akron 2, New York-NJ 1, (2nd), 9 Innings.
