WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR. July 16, 2004: Lindsey Klein backed up on the high hop shot hit by Racers catcher Dana Degan leading off as Amanda Scott started the bottom of the seventh last night in Akron.  Klein could not make the play, allowing Degan to reach first in the 1-1 duel between Racers' Radara McHugh and Amazing Amanda Scott.

Then Scott was lashed for a long single down the left field line by Nicole Trimboli sending Degan to second. Scott struck out the Racer shortstop, but Trina Peel unloaded a double in the gap to right center that rolled all the way to the wall to send Degan across with the winning run as the Racers held off the Juggernaut, 2-1, before a crowd of 500 fans at Firestone Stadium. The Racers lengthened their lead on the Juggernaut to a game and a half. The Nauts if they win tonight and Saturday can leave town in first place.

The Nauts scored in the third off the towheaded McHugh when Venus Taylor walked, Carri Leto reached on a fielder's choice. Illinois newcomer Laura Harms whom Manager DeAquino has slotted into the leadoff spot, continued her torrid start in the league, singling up the middle advancing Lightning Leto to third. Jacklyn Pasquerella was safe on a fielder's choice, loading the bases. Laura Bauer, Naut leftfield jacked a fly ball to left that allowed Leto to score to make it 1-zip.

The Nauts had a shot to break it open right there, when McHugh walked Lindsey Klein to load the bases. However, McHugh fanned the Number Two hitter in the league, Kellie Wilkerson stranding three Nauts.

An error by Carri Leto in the bottom of the fourth allowed the Racers to tie the game. Antionette Armstrong singled up the gut. Scott struck out the league's leading hitter, Iyhia McMichael next on a great pitch swinging. Then Dana Degan grounded to Leto who misplayed it, all hands being safe. Scott trying to put too much on a pitch to Nicole Trimboli wild pitched Armstrong and the pinchrunner to second and third. Trimboli grounded to deep short, scoring Armstrong to tie it with an unearned tally, 1-1.

The Nauts had chance to go ahead in the 5th with Leto on second, but Harms and Pasquerella both grouned out and Laura Bauer fouled out. But did not threaten again. They stranded seven in the game including wasting a double by Bauer in the first.

The Nauts play the Racers again tonight at Firestone Stadium at 7:35 P.M.

It was the third time this season McHugh has handcuffed the Naut lineup. McHugh scattered 5 hits, walked 2 and fanned 6 Nauts including Kellie Wilkerson with the bases jammed in the 4th.

The National Pro Fastpitch Standings. July 16, 2004

                                                      W        L      PCT,  Games Behind

Akron Racers                               21      8      .724              _______

NY-NY Juggernaut                    22    12     .647            1-1/2

Texas Thunder                             18    11     ,621                3

New England Riptide                  15    18     .455               8

Arizona Heat                                10   23     .303               13

California Sunbirds                      9    23     .281                13-1/2

                          Thursday's Late Results

Akron 2, Juggernaut 1

New England 7, California 0

Texas 2, Arizona 1