DETAILS: Last night at Judson University, the Bandits held a 3-1 lead in the top of the seventh behind terrific pitching from Eileen Canney (Northwestern) and three solo home runs. Rachel Folden (Marshall) hit her fifth round-tripper, while Samantha Findlay tied Folden for the league head hitting her fourth and fifth dingers of the campaign.

The Racers showed why that are a first-place team in the league, scoring two times in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. Then in the top of the ninth, Racers right fielder Michaela Minner (Missouri) connected for a two-run homer off of Bandits reliever Jessica Sallinger (Georgia Tech) to lift Akron to the victory.

The Akron Racers are in first place in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) standings with a record of 12-6 records. The Chicago Bandits are two games back with a record of 10-8.

Game Two of the series tonight will be played at Silver Cross Stadium in Joliet, home of the Joliet Jackhammers minor league baseball affiliate. The Friday night game will be considered a Bandits "home" game. National team and Olympic star pitcher Jennie Finch (Arizona) is scheduled to start for Chicago, while Jamee Juarez (Ohio State) is the probable starter for the Racers.

You can catch all the action live and archived on mlb.com. Keep informed all season long on Chicago Bandits NPF softball right here on rrsn.com and the Regional Radio Sports Network, LLC.

For tickets, call 1-877-7BANDIT, or go to their website at chicagobandits.com