AKRON, OH ¾ The Akron Racers announced today the completion of a trade with the Carolina Diamonds obtaining pitcher Amy Kyler for outfielder Rashunda Taylor. Kyler joins Akron native and WPF All-Star Carla Brookbank for the Racers 1999 inaugural season.

     Kyler, a northeast Ohio native, played collegiate softball at Cleveland State University after graduating from Northwest High School in Canal Fulton. While at Cleveland State, she was named 1997 Mid-Continent Conference Pitcher-of-the-Year and 1997 MCC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

     "I’m excited about the addition of Amy Kyler to the Racer roster. Being in a position to bring both Carla and Amy back home is both personally and professionally a victory for the Racers," said GM Joey Arrietta.

     Last season, Kyler was named to the 1998 WPF All-Star Team as she led Carolina to the 1998 WPF Championship Series against the Orlando Wahoos. She was 5^th in WPF in earned run average (2.31), tied for 4^th in wins (12), 4^th in strikeouts (111), 5^th in innings (170) and 3^rd in walks (73). In WPF history she ranks 5^th in saves (3) and strikeouts (142). In addition, she was named WPF Pitcher-of-the-Week for the week ending June 7.

     The current Racer roster includes a talented veteran corps of pitchers. Brookbank and Kyler are joined by four-time UCLA all-American Debbie Doom. Doom recorded a two-year WPF record of 24-3 with a remarkable 0.61 ERA. The Racers also welcome the return of the 1997 WPF Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher, Sara Dawson (NE Louisiana). Dawson posted a 30-3 record including 150 strikeouts and a 0.91 ERA. The Akron quartet gives the Racers a formidable staff capable of leading the first-year club to the league title in 1999.

     "Amy is a hard-throwing right-hander who is currently developing a change-up and various off-speed pitches to add to her game. The variety of styles in our rotation will give us a different look every night. The game starts with pitching and I believe we have the perfect combination for success," said Arrietta.

     Taylor played two seasons with the Orlando Wahoos prior to their move to Akron. She has a .292 batting average with 10 doubles, two home runs, 33 RBI and 13 stolen bases in her career. She is the all-time WPF leader in games played (136), runs scored (80) and triples (9).

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