International & NPF

Akron gets the best of the Bandits

ROSEMONT, Ill. (July 4, 2017) – The Bandits concluded their quick two-game home stand winless, dropping the series finale against the Akron Racers 4-2 on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bandits wore USA-themed jerseys for the second consecutive game in honor of their Fourth of July matchup against the Racers. The jerseys were auctioned off over the course of the two-game series with all proceeds benefitting Salute Inc., an organization whose goal is to help provide assistance to veterans.

Natalie Hernandez provided the early offense for the Bandits, who jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame. Her RBI-single to right brought home Emily Carosone, who reached earlier in the inning with a single. Both base hits, along with a single from Emily Crane, came with two outs.

After going 0-for-5 over the past two games against Akron, Carosone snapped out the slump with a 2-for-3 day at the plate. She also scored both Bandits runs.

“In the slum, I was still hitting the ball hard, just (struggled) to have it drop,” Carosone said. “Today, I was just trying to get it together.”

The Racers responded in the top half of the fourth. With two outs, Jennifer Gilbert, named the Vaultz® Lock It Up!® Player of the Game, tripled to bring home a pair of runs and give Akron the lead for good. A pitching change sent southpaw Haylie Wagner to the circle, although she was welcomed to the game by an RBI-single off the bat of Kelley Montalvo.

An exchange of runs in the fifth and sixth, including a sacrifice fly from Hernandez, kept the Racers’ lead intact at two runs. Down a pair with two innings to play, the Bandits failed to close the deficit, despite putting runners in scoring position.

“I think we just didn’t find a way to keep the momentum,” Bandits head coach Sharonda McDonald said. “Once we get a little momentum and the energy, we have to have the fight to keep it going and keep them off-balance. We didn’t do that very well today.”

Following the two-game home series, the Bandits will hit the road for eight straight games, beginning with another two-game set against the Akron Racers at Firestone Stadium. Chicago (12-13) is currently 3-5 on the season against Akron (13-10).

“They know how talented they are,” McDonald said. “They know how much potential we have, but potential is only on paper – you have to find a way to put it into action.”

First pitch in game one is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST in Akron. The game will be broadcast on NPF TV.

Follow along with the Bandits on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for score updates throughout the season.

For more information about the Chicago Bandits or to purchase tickets to any home game during the remainder of the 2017 regular season, please visit chicagobandits.com or call the box office at 877-722-6348.

Click to see Box Score

Quick Facts
Attendance: 469
Time of game: Two hours, 12 minutes.
Vaultz® Lock It Up!® Player of the Game: Jennifer Gilbert (AKR) – 1-for-3, 3B, 2 RBI

Courtesy of the NPF

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