Facing elimination, the Chicago Bandits scored three runs in the bottom of third and got great pitching over the final four innings to defeat the Akron Racers, 4-1, in the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series at the Hoover Met. The win forces a third game in the best-of-three series tomorrow afternoon; Akron won the opening game of the series on Wednesday afternoon, 2-1.

Akron got on the board first with a solo blast to center field by shortstop Nerissa Myers, the NPF Offensive Player of the Year.

Chicago came right back in their half of the third. Leftfielder Emily Allard singled and moved to second on a sacrifice by second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz. Allard scored on a single to right by centerfielder Megan Wiggins to tie the game, 1-1. After a single by third baseman Amber Patton, Wiggins scored on a single by shortstop Tammy Williams for a 2-1 lead by the Bandits. They added another run on a RBI groundout by catcher Kristen Butler, scoring Patton. Chicago led 3-1 at the end of the third inning.

Monica Abbott came in to pitch for Chicago in the top of the fifth, relieving starter Michelle Gascoigne. Gascoigne allowed one run on three hits in four innings of work, with one strikeout and one hit batter.

Chicago scored again in the sixth. With two outs, first baseman Brittany Cervantes walked and then stole second. Cervantes scored on a single to left by designated player Alisa Goler. The Bandits led 4-1 after six innings.

Gascoigne picked up the victory for Chicago, while Abbott retired all nine batters she faced to earn the save. Abbott struck out three in her three innings of work. Rachele Fico took the loss, allowing four runs and seven hits in a complete-game effort.

Goler was 2 for 3 with two runs batted in for Chicago; in addition to Myers’ home run, first baseman Charlotte Morgan and centerfielder Taylor Schlopy had hits for Akron.

Akron and Chicago will play the third and deciding game of their series tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the Hoover Met. The winner of that game will start the finals, also a best-of-three series, against USSSA Pride tomorrow night at 7:00 PM CT

Box Score:Click Here

Site: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium – Hoover, AL

Score: Racers 1, Bandits 4

Next Akron Racers – Chicago Bandits Game: Friday, August 22, 2014 – 1:30 PM CT