Juarez Plays With Racers in National Pro Fastpitch League – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Former Ohio State standout Jamee Juarez is in her second season with the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League. Check back to this webpage this summer for weekly updates, press releases and photo galleries to follow Jamee’s second season of professional softball.
Click “Refresh” for the most recent updates.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Akron Racers
http://www.akronracers.org/
Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Parkway
Akron, Ohio 44301 | Phone – 330-376-8188
UPDATE No. 6 – AUGUST 1
By Cory Griffin, Akron Racers Media Relations
The Akron Racers traveled to Rockford, Ill. to take on the Thunder last week in a four-game series. The Racers split the series to stay in fourth place at 16-16 on the season.
Buckeye Jamee Juarez has posted a 6.30 ERA and has pitched one complete game for the Racers this season, her record stands at 0-3.
The Racers also hosted Team USA at Firestone Stadium last Tuesday, losing 6-2. They will now bring Rockford back with them to Akron to play another four-game series. The team will be fighting to remain in the top four in the league to make the playoffs in Kimberly, Wisconsin next month.
Games this week will be played each night from Wednesday through Saturday at 7:05. Tickets can be purchased at akronracers.org or by calling 330-376-8188.
UPDATE No. 5 – JULY 14
By Cory Griffin, Akron Racers Media Relations
It was a rough week for the Akron Racers. Coming into the week 11-9, the Racers found themselves just four games out of first, and cut that lead to three games after a win in the first game of this past week’s series with the New England Riptide. But after New England took three straight games from Akron, the team now finds themselves in fourth place and at 12-12 on the season.
Pitcher Jamee Juarez started Friday evening’s game against current OSU pitching coach Erica Beach. A host of Buckeye faithful were in attendance for the game, supporting both pitchers.
Unfortunately for Jamee, she lasted just two innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out one batter. Juarez got the no-decision for the game.
Juarez is 0-2 in five starts for Akron this year, pitching 28 innings. She has struck out 16 and has an ERA of 5.25.
The Racers will now travel to New England in search of revenge for a four-game series from Wed. July 16 to Sat. July 19.
For tickets to any future Racer home games or information about the team, call 330-376-8188 or log onto AkronRacers.com.
UPDATE No. 4 – JULY 7
By Cory Griffin, Akron Racers Media Relations
Coming into a series with first-place Philadelphia, the Racers found themselves five games out of first, and hoping to chip away and march toward the postseason. After taking three of four from Philadelphia, Akron now finds themselves just three games out of first and in third place at 11-9 between first-place Philadelphia and last year’s defending champion Washington Glory.
The Racers took Games one, two and four by scores of 3-2, 5-4, 3-2 respectively. They lost game three, 3-2.
Buckeye grad Jamee Juarez made one appearance for Akron during the series, pitching five innings in game two, allowing three earned runs and striking out three.
Juarez is 0-2 in four starts for Akron so far this season. She has pitched 26 innings, striking out 15 batters and carries a 4.85 earned run average.
The Racers will host the New England Riptide from Wednesday, July 9 through Saturday, July 12. Tickets for all Racers Games can be purchased at akronracers.org. Current OSU assistant coach Erica Beach pitches for the Riptide.
UPDATE No. 3 – JUNE 30
By Cory Griffin, Akron Racers Media Relations
Jamee Juarez worked a complete game against Team Canada on June 28. In the loss, Juarez allowed six earned runs, but was able to work through a rough second inning to finish out the third game of the series. Juarez also struck out four through seven innings.
However, the Racers bats could not provide enough run support for Jamee, and the team fell to Canada, 6-2.
The Racers took 2 of 4 from the Canadian National Team to move to 8-8 on the season. They are also 6-2 against international competition.
The team will now host Philadelphia on Wed. July 2 through Sat. July 5. Each game will start at 7:05. Tickets can be purchased at Akronracers.com
UPDATE No. 2 – JUNE 24
By Cory Griffin, Akron Racers Media Relations
In six innings of work for the Akron Racers last weekend against the Netherlands National Team, Jamee Juarez pitched six total innings and allowed just three earned runs. She also struck out seven batters.
The Racers swept the Dutch in four games, and moved to 6-6 on the season, they now hold a five game win streak. The Racers have now moved into a tie for third place in the league.
For the season, Jamee is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA. She has eight strikeouts and nine earned runs allowed in 14 innings of work.
The Racers will face the Canadian National team at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio from Wed. June 25 until Sat. June 28. Games Wed. through Fri. will take place at 7:05, while Saturday’s game will take place at 2:05.
For tickets or more information, please visit akronracers.org.
UPDATE No. 1 – JUNE 16
By Cory Griffin, Akron Racers Media Relations
As the Akron Racers offense has struggled throughout the season so far, it has been rough on the Racer pitching staff, but the pitchers have managed to put up pretty respectable numbers despite the offensive shortage.
Jamee Juarez has been one of the most consistent Racers so far. Despite getting roughed up for a few runs against defending NPF Champion Washington on Friday the 13th, Juarez has been a positive presence in the Racer rotation.
Juarez had pitched four innings of relief work for Akron without allowing a single earned run, and was the Racers Pitcher of the Year a season ago.
So far on the season the Racers are 2-6. The Racers will take on the Netherlands National Team on four consecutive nights starting on June 18 through June 21. For ticket information call 330-376-8188 or visit www.Akronracers.org.
MEET JAMEE JUAREZ
A four-time All-Big Ten selection, Juarez helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2007 Big Ten softball championship and signed a contract last June to play professionally with the Racers of the six-team National Pro Fastpitch League. Juarez (La Puente, Calif./Wilson) went undrafted in February but was sought by several NPF teams when her collegiate career came to an end following the NCAA Regionals May 20, 2007.
In 2007, Juarez went 21-9 and set Ohio State single-season records for strikeouts (240) and saves (5) and led the Big Ten in fewest walks per game (1.2) as the Buckeyes went 40-18, won their second Big Ten championship and first Big Ten tournament title. During the season, she established five OSU career pitching records, including wins (76), strikeouts (747), shutouts (27), innings pitched (746.1) and appearances (147).
“When we started talking about adding a pitcher for this season, the first person we thought of was Jamee,” Shonda Statton, Racers head coach, said when the Racers signed Juarez. “She had a fantastic career at Ohio State and was a huge factor in the Buckeyes’ success, especially this season, and we think she can bring that success to the next level. We are just so impressed with the quality of player Jamee is. She can play third base and will give us depth in the outfield, too, which is what we need when players are coming and going with the national team. Jamee is just a great athlete and we hope Buckeye fans will come out to watch her and the Racers.”
Juarez, who graduated from Ohio State this past spring, led the Racers in several pitching statistics last season.
“I’m starting a new chapter,” Juarez said last season. “I know it’ll be tough, but I’m coming off a good season (at Ohio State) and that is a motivating factor for me to try to carry that to a higher level. I have enjoyed getting to know Coach Statton and I am very happy to stay in Ohio, which is like a second home for me. At Akron, I’ll get to be around the families of two of my OSU teammates Courtney Pruner (native of Akron) and Brittany Vanderink (native of Hiram, Ohio).”
Juarez is the fourth Buckeye to play professionally, joining Kristine Himes (2000-03), Jamie Chenevey (1996-99) and Jodi Dolan (1995-98). In addition, Cheryl Palaroan (1996-99) was drafted but did not play and Kristie DeVries (2001-04) is currently playing with the Dutch national team.
