International & NPF

Chicago Bandits Shutdown USSSA Pride 3-0

Chicago Bandits NPF

ROSEMONT, Ill. –  (By: Carolyn Horne) Behind the arm of Lacey Waldrop, the Bandits topped the league-leading USSSA Pride in Wednesday night’s series opener at The Ballpark at Rosemont. With the win, the Bandits moved into third place in the league standings, based on the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Akron Racers (Bandits lead series 6-4).

Waldrop (W, 5-3) tossed back-to-back scoreless frames to open up the ballgame, but was equaled by her counterpart, Chelsea Thomas (L, 6-2), who shut down the Bandits (21-22) offensive attack through two. However, the Bandits combined for three runs in the third and fourth innings on four hits, including RBI-base knocks from Brittany Cervantes (1-for-4, RBI) and Taylor Edwards (2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB).

“I was just having fun, getting my foot down early and seeing the ball out of the pitcher’s hand,” Edwards said.

The Pride (32-12) were unable to answer back against Waldrop, who had plenty of support with the three-run cushion. In just her second start since June 24, Waldrop turned in a scoreless effort, working into the sixth inning while scattering five hits and striking out five.

“(Lacey’s) plan was to attack hitters, throw strikes and make the batters put the ball in play,” Edwards said. “This is our home field so we just go right at the hitters.”

Although Waldrop was in control, the Pride did not go quietly. USSSA brought the tying run to the plate in the sixth and knocked the second-year pro out of the game. Rookie Morgan Foley entered the circle with two on and nobody out, but wiggled out of the jam by getting the next three batters out.

Michelle Gascoigne (SV, 5) earned her team-high fifth save of the season by tossing a 1-2-3 seventh frame while striking out a pair.

“Every game we play against (USSSA) is competitive,” Edwards said. “We were able to get momentum on our side tonight.”

The Bandits will have a chance to clinch the series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST. With a win, the Bandits would also assure themselves of an above-.500 record at The Ballpark at Rosemont in 2016. Tomorrow’s game will be broadcast on NPFTV.

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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