ROSEMONT – (By: Brent Meske) Behind a strong, five-hit performance from starting pitcher Lauren Haeger, the Dallas Charge beat the Chicago Bandits 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon to split the two-game series.
Haeger (W, 6-4) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four in 5.1 innings of work.
Left fielder Brenna Moss said the loss, which snapped a three-game win-streak, is not a blow to morale.
“Sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some,” Moss said. “Unfortunately, we lost today, but we’re definitely going to bounce back.”
For the second time in as many days, Kylee Lahners (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB) brought home Taylor Gadbois (3-for-4, 2 R) to give the Charge (11-20) a first-inning lead. This time, Lahners sent her team-leading seventh home run ricocheting off the left field foul pole to score herself and Gadbois, who led off the game with a single.
The Bandits (16-19) had a chance to get the runs back in the bottom half of the frame as Haeger loaded the bases with one out on three straight walks, but couldn’t capitalize.
After a bounce-back 1-2-3 inning from Bandits’ starting pitcher Angel Bunner (L, 1-2) the Bandits were able to come through on a three-hit inning to tie the game at two in the second.
Second baseman Emily Carosone (0-for-1, R, BB, HBP) led off the second with her team-leading eighth hit by pitch and center fielder Sammy Marshall (1-for-2, 2B, R) followed with a bunt double to put two runners in scoring position. Left fielder Brenna Moss (1-for-2, RBI) took advantage, bringing Carosone home with an RBI-single. Third baseman Jill Barrett (1-for-4, RBI) followed suit, sending home Marshall with an RBI-single of her own one batter later.
The game didn’t stay tied long though as the Charge tacked on two runs to re-take the lead. Shortstop Renada Davis (1-for-3, 2B, RBI, R) sent an RBI-double over Marshall’s head in center field and Haeger (2-for-3, RBI) gave herself an insurance run with an RBI-single right back up the middle. The Charge threatened to add more as they had runners on the corners with one out, but Shelby Turnier – who replaced Bunner three batters into the inning – worked out of the jam with a popup and groundout.
Bunner finished the game with three runs allowed on four hits while striking out one in 2.1 innings of work.
Haeger and Turnier settled in after the top of the third, picking up a combined four strikeouts and allowing one hit in the next three half innings.
Moss said Haeger didn’t change her approach in the circle through the game, instead knocking the team for getting ahead of themselves.
“[We] were pressing because they were winning,” Moss said. “Once it gets to that point, we try a little too hard and it doesn’t go our way.”
Michelle Gascoigne entered the game with one out in the top of the fifth and worked around a leadoff single from Gadbois, collecting a groundout, strikeout and fly out. She finished the game with one strikeout, one hit against and one walk in three innings.
The Bandits got a run back in the sixth, closing the gap to 4-3 on a no-doubt home run from shortstop Kristen Brown (1-for-3, HR). It was her third home run of the season, all coming in the last five days.
The home run, followed by a walk, chased Haeger from the game as Morgan Melloh (SV, 2) came in for the final 1.2 innings. She struck out one while allowing no hits in six batters faced.
Wednesday afternoon’s loss marked the fifth game in five days for the Bandits, who now have four days of rest before their next series.
“We have to be ourselves and work hard on these off-days,” Moss said. We have to get ready, relax and rest our bodies.”
The Bandits start a two-game series with the Pennsylvania Rebellion (11-21) on Monday, July 25 with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST at The Ballpark at Rosemont. The game will also be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Tickets for Monday’s game and 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.
