University of North Carolina Athletics
Norris Leads Racers To NPF World Series
August 22, 2009 | Softball
Aug. 22, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Akron Racers capitalized on a pair of Thunder errors, relied on solid defense and impressive pitching to defeat the Rockford Thunder, 1-0 at Firestone Stadium this afternoon.
Racers rookie Lisa Norris, UNC (06-09), picked up the win for Akron, throwing all seven innings and allowing just two hits while recording eight strikeouts in her first NPF playoff outing.
The 2009 graduate was 12-8 with a 2.36 ERA in the 2009 NPF season. Norris is no stranger to special pitching performances as she threw a no-hitter in 2009 against Cal State Fullerton and continues that success now at the professional level. Norris closed out her career at North Carolina with a 23-8 record and 1.33 ERA in 2009. The Akron Racers pitching coach is former Tar Heel star pitcher Radara McHugh who left North Carolina as the program's career record holder for wins (88), appearances (150), starts (130), innings pitched (861.2), shutouts (46) and strikeouts (686). McHugh pitched North Carolina to their first ACC championship in 2001.
Cat Osterman, a former Olympian, took the tough luck loss after surrendering three hits, four walks and notched 11 strikeouts.
The Racers wasted little time, picking up the lone run of the contest in the bottom of the first. A pair of errors on third baseman Jenae Leles enabled Crystl Bustos and Jenny Topping to reach first and second respectively. With two away, Katie Cochran delivered a clutch single through the right side to plate Bustos from second for the go ahead run.
In the top of the sixth, the Thunder threatened when Norris opened the frame issuing walks to Laurie Wagner and Chelsea Spencer. However, the hurler settled in, retiring the next batter with a pop-up, inducing a fielders choice and firing a strikeout to retire the side without damage.
Lyndsey Angus attempted to get things going for the Thunder atop the seventh, driving a two-out single over the head of Racers third baseman Jackie Pasquerella but Norris would retire the next batter on strikes to record the win. Lisa Modglin led the Racers offense with a 2-for-3 day at the plate and also picked up a pair of stolen bases on the day.
