International & NPF

Chicago Bandits get Series Win over USSSA Pride with 5-4 Win

Chicago-Bandits

ORLANDO, Fla. –  (By: Jason Lowenthal) For the second consecutive night, the Bandits used a stellar performance in the circle to top the USSSA Pride, Monday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Despite a furious late rally from the Pride, the Bandits staved off the comeback effort, holding on for a 5-4 win to claim the series.

Angel Bunner turned in a dominant outing for the Bandits (15-18) to earn her first win of the season, tossing 5.1 innings while allowing just one earned run on two hits. She struck out five batters and did not allow a hit until Sierra Romero’s leadoff single to center in the fourth.

Bunner worked the corners well in her start, specifically dialing in on the inner half of the plate. Her fourth start of 2016 with the Bandits was her most impressive as she had not gone more than four innings in an outing in her previous efforts.

The Bandits got on the board early thanks to a pair of solo home runs from Brittany Cervantes (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) and Taylor Edwards (1-for-3, HR, RBI). Cervantes’ fifth of the season came with two outs in the opening frame when she took Pride starter Keilani Ricketts (L, 4-4) deep to straightaway center on a 2-1 pitch. Likewise, Edwards smacked the first pitch she saw in the fourth inning for her fifth home run of 2016.

An RBI-single from Natalie Hernandez (1-for-2, RBI) and a two-RBI, opposite-field single from Cervantes extended the Bandits’ lead to 5-0 in the fifth, but the Pride (20-9) did not go quietly. A four-run sixth inning set up an exciting finish between the longtime rivals.

A one-out error on an attempted basket catch by Sammy Marshall in the sixth inning sparked a late rally from the Pride, who had been shut down by Bunner until that point. Bunner hit the next batter and was subsequently replaced by Michelle Gascoigne (1.2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 K). The Pride saw four of the next five batters reach base to put them within striking distance, but after delivering a two-RBI single, Courtney Ceo got caught in a rundown between first and second to end the inning.

USSSA threatened again in the final frame, loading the bases with two outs for Chelsea Goodacre, who had recorded a two-RBI single in the previous inning. However, Gascoigne kept her composure and managed to get Goodacre to chase a high fastball to end the game and secure the series win for the Bandits.

The Pride dropped a series for just the third time all season, but all three series losses have come in the USSSA’s last four series.

Meanwhile, the Bandits captured their second series win in their last three series, with the exception being a two-game split against the Scrap Yard Dawgs. They will look to keep the momentum in their return to Rosemont, tomorrow night, when they take on the Dallas Charge (10-19).

Currently, the Bandits hold a 2.5 game lead over the Charge for the fourth and final playoff spot. First pitch in the series opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST.

Tickets for all remaining home games during the 2016 season are on sale now. Visit www.chicagobandits.com or call the box office at 877-722-6348 to order.

About the Chicago Bandits
Since 2005, the Chicago Bandits have been members of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league. Located in Rosemont, the Bandits provide an opportunity for female fastpitch players to further their careers at a professional level, and the roster has included such names as Jennie Finch, Stacy May-Johnson, Emily Allard and Tammy Williams. The three-time NPF Champions, who are owned by Bill Sokolis, play at The Ballpark at Rosemont, the only stadium in the country built for a women’s professional team. The 2016 season will be the Bandits 12th season in the NPF.

About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.

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