San Antonio, TX (June 24, 2016) – The Dallas Charge scored nine runs in their first at bat and rookie Cheridan Hawkins got her first NPF win, tossing a two-hit shutout in route to a 10-0 victory over the Chicago Bandits Friday night at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. The win stops the Charge’s 10-game league losing skid.
Hawkins was extremely efficient for the Charge, throwing just 73 pitches in seven innings of work, 51 for strikes. The Oregon alum faced only two hitters over the minimum. She walked one and struck out five. It was the 2016 PAC-12 Pitcher of the Year’s first NPF win in the circle.
Charge shortstop Renada Davis and catcher Kaylyn Castillo each homered in the effort. Dallas racked up 10 hits in total. Six of the 10 runs were scored off Bandit’s starter Lacey Waldrop, who lasted just one-third of an inning. Tatum Edwards relieved Waldrop with one out in the bottom of the first. Edwards would go the rest of the way for the Bandits.
Eight different Charge batters reached via a hit. Both Davis and Castillo tallied two hits a piece. Castillo drove in three. Davis and Lauren Haeger both knocked in two.
The Charge sent 13 hitters to the plate in the bottom of the first, giving themselves an insurmountable 9-0 lead. Dallas added one more in the second on a walk and two singles to push the lead to 10 and end the scoring.
The Charge improved to 5-11. Chicago dropped to 9-9. The two teams will face off again Saturday night at St. Mary’s to conclude the two-game set.
LOCATION: The Ballfields at Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX 75070
FINAL SCORE: Charge 10, Bandits 0
RECORDS: Charge (5-11), Bandits (9-9)
NEXT CHARGE GAME: Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. CT vs. Chicago Bandits, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
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 the Dallas Charge
The Dallas Charge, headquartered in McKinney, TX, began competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Dallas Charge at www.dallascharge.com
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 Florida 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.
