Bandits split doubleheader with Racers, improve to 9-2 overall

AKRON, Ohio - Offense was the name of the game in the first set of Friday's doubleheader at Firestone Stadium, following a rain out of Thursday night's game.

Sara Moulton got the start in the circle for the Bandits against Lisa Norris for the Racers.

The Bandits took control early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead following 4 straight hits to start the game, including a Tammy Williams RBI single which was followed by a Brittany Cervantes RBI double. An Amber Patton groundout and base hit by Danielle Zymkowitz put the Bandits up by 4, ultimately chasing Norris from the mound as Alison Owen came on in relief. Owen allowed 3 straight hits herself before getting Brenna Moss to groundout to third as the Bandits took a 6-run lead into the bottom of the inning.

Looking to dig themselves out of the 6-run hole, Taylor Schlopy and Shellie Robinson each homered with a runner on base to make it a 6-4 game heading to the second.

Still down by 2, the Racers pulled ahead in the bottom of the second, loading up the bases against Moulton, before Lacey Waldrop came on in relief. She allowed a walk to Racers batter, Haley Outon, which made it 6-5. Jenny Gilbert followed up with an RBI double giving the Racers a 7-5 lead heading to the third.

AJ Andrews, making her NPF debut for the Bandits, tied the game at 7 with a double down the right field line, which scored Patton who had doubled to get on base earlier in the inning, but the tie didn't last for long as the Racers took the lead once again in their half of the fourth.

RBI singles from Jill Barrett and Nerissa Myers gave the Racers a 9-7 lead in the fourth, while neither team was able to cross home in the fifth, but Kelley Montalvo added another insurance run for the Racers in the sixth with a solo shot to center making it 10-7.

The Racers would add a their final run of the game in the sixth off another solo home run, this time by Nerissa Meyers, as the Bandits lost for just the second time this season, by a score of 11-7 in game one of the day against the Racers.

Lacey Waldrop took the loss for the Bandits allowing 4 runs on 7 hits with 3 strikeouts while Owen picked up the win in relief for the Racers after allowing just 1 run on 7 hits.