DALLAS – The Bandits continued to struggle against the Dallas Charge in 2016, dropping the series opener Tuesday night at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch by a 16-6 final. Clinging to a one-run lead entering the fifth inning, the Charge scored 10 times in the frame to take a commanding 15-4 advantage.
After the Bandits (22-24) opened up scoring with a three-run third inning, thanks in part to a run-scoring single from Amanda Kamekona (1-for-3, RBI, BB) and RBI-double from Danielle Zymkowitz (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Dallas responded quickly. The Charge cut the deficit to two runs in the bottom half of the frame on an RBI-double down the right field line from Brittany Schutte.
Dallas (17-28) then surged ahead in the following inning against Bandits’ starter Sara Moulton (L, 5-5, 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 K), as four runs would come across to score, including a pair on a home run from Kaitlyn Richardson (2-for-2, HR, 2B, 2 RBI).
Then came the big blow. The Charge struck for 10 runs in the fifth on five hits and six walks to blow the contest open. Morgan Foley (0.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 2 BB) and Tatum Edwards (2.0 IP, 6 ER, 4 H, 5 BB), making just her eighth appearance in the circle this season, pitched in relief for the Bandits.
It was the fourth time in eight meetings this season in which the Charge scored at least five runs in a single inning against the Bandits and the ninth time in which they scored multiple runs in a frame. Dallas has now outscored the Bandits by a 34-17 margin in the third through fifth innings this year.
Cheridan Hawkins (W, 2-5) picked up the win for the Charge in the circle, limiting the early damage and allowing Dallas to work their way into the lead. Hawkins tossed five innings in the circle, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits.
Although it was a rough encounter in the series opener, the Bandits did have a few bright spots at the plate. In addition to Zymkowitz’s three-hit effort, Bandits’ rookie Alaynie Page (1-for-1, HR, 2 RBI) smacked her first career home run, a two-run shot, while pinch-hitting in the sixth inning.
