Game recap.

NPF website story.

In an awesome pitcher's duel between 2 of the top NPF rookie pitchers, it was the return of Glory errors that decided the game.

It was Taryne Mowatt for the Glory going against Angela Tincher for the Racers. The Glory had been successful against Tincher in her appearance, scoring 6 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. But she must have learned from that experience, as the Glory could not duplicate the feat. Tincher allowed just 4 baserunners on 2 walks, one HPB, and one Racer error.

Akron's India Chiles made things interesting in the first inning. After reaching base with a leadoff single, Akron played small ball. With 2 outs, she stole second, and advanced to third on an error by catcher Callista Balko. Chiles then attempted to steal home, but was unsuccessful.

After that inning, Mowatt matched Tincher most of the game. She held Akron scoreless until the bottom of the 7th. With 1 out, Kate Robinson reached on a 2-base error by Nicole Barber (the first outfield error of the season for the Glory). Angelena Mexicano sac-bunted her to third. At this point, things were dire, since a sac fly would have ended the game. But the run scored on an error by Bures at SS, likely trying to field and throw home instead of a more common play at first. Game over.

Mowatt allowed only the 1 unearned run, struck out 6 and walked 2 in the loss, which drops her to 0-1. Tincher struck out 10 and walked 2, and hit one batter in her first professional win against no losses.

We came very close to my prediction of a sweep, but couldn't quite pull it off. Even though we lost, tonight was an indication of the excellent pitching now entering the NPF, which we'll get to see for years to come.