Akron tops Bandits 8-4

After an offensive explosion, the Akron Racers snapped their four-game losing streak against the Bandits with an 8-4 victory Saturday night in Rosemont.

The scoring started early for both teams as Akron's Taylor Schlopy got the first hit of the night, a home run to deep left field. In the bottom half of the first the Bandits answered with an RBI single by Tammy Williams to score Emily Allard.

Akron continued the scoring in the second inning with another run, but Bandits starter Ellen Renfroe pitched her way out of potential danger with a strikeout to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Estela Pinon was brought on in relief of Renfroe to start the fourth. Renfroe (1-2) matched her professional career high of 3 innings pitched. She gave up 3 earned runs on 5 hits while striking out three, taking the loss.

Akron also made a pitching change in the fourth as lefty Hannah Campbell came on in relief of starter Alison Owen. Campbell's appearance was her second against the Bandits in as many nights.

Campbell pitched back-to-back shutout innings for the Racers before giving up her only earned run in the sixth. She left the game after giving up 1 earned run on 4 hits, while getting the win for the Racers.

The Racers added a pair of runs in the fifth on a 2-run RBI double from Jen Gilbert.

With the bases loaded and nobody out in the top of the sixth, Bandits coach Shane Winkler pulled Pinon after 2 innings to bring in Michelle Gascoigne. Gascoigne finished for the Bandits, giving up just 2 hits and no earned runs.

The Bandits' bats started to come alive late with 3 of their 4 runs scoring in the last two innings.

Alisa Goler and R.T. Cantillo each knocked in a run in the sixth, and Kristen Butler added a sacrifice fly in the seventh, but it was too little too late for the Bandits.