ROSEMONT – The Bandits were on the wrong side of a pitcher’s duel, Monday night at The Ballpark at Rosemont, losing 2-0 to the Pennsylvania Rebellion.
Although Angel Bunner (L, 1-3) scattered seven hits and two runs while working into the seventh inning, the Rebellion’s Miranda Kramer (W, 5-2) was better: allowing no runs on two hits.
Bandits’ catcher Kellsi Kloss said Kramer was keeping the team off-balance.
“She was hitting her spots really well,” Kloss said. “She doesn’t do anything overpowering, but hit her spots really well.”
The Rebellion (13-23) got on the board early after second baseman Olivia Watkins (1-for-4, 3B, R) tripled to the left-center field gap to lead off the game. She would come around to score on a passed ball two batters later.
It was a full-on pitcher’s duel following the opening frame. After a double by Rebellion first baseman Alisa Goler (2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI) later in the second inning, Bunner set down 11 consecutive batters.
“Angel was throwing into what their plan was not, so whatever side they wanted to hit, she did a good job of throwing to the opposite side,” Kloss said.
Kramer allowed a first inning single to first baseman Brittany Cervantes (1-for-3) and then turned aside seven straight Bandits before hitting Megan Blank (0-for-2, HBP) to lead off the fourth.
The Bandits (16-20) didn’t collect their second, and last, hit off Kramer until a two-out single from center fielder Sammy Marshall (1-for-3), which allowed the Bandits to threaten in the fifth. Following Marshall’s single, two straight, two-out walks from Kramer forced a pitching change and Emily Weiman (SV, 2) entered the game. She got Blank to line out to the Rebellion shortstop, ending the threat.
“If your pitcher gives up two runs, you’ve got a pretty good chance to win a ballgame and we just didn’t pull it out for (Bunner),” Kloss said.
The Rebellion lead grew to 2-0 in the sixth inning when a two-out bunt single from center fielder Lindsey Stephens (1-for-3, R) started a rally. After she stole second with Goler up to bat, the former Bandit sent an RBI-double to left-center.
Kloss said the team talked about being more aggressive early in the count in their post-game meeting.
“It’s the best chance you’re going to have to hit a pitch,” she said. “It’s been the story of a couple games for us, is getting runners on base and just not doing a good job of getting the runs in.”
Cervantes’ hit came on the second pitch of the at-bat, Marshall’s was on the first.
Kloss said the team was relaxed after a four-day break in games and the team needs to get back in a groove to get back to winning.
“We stopped our momentum with the four days off, so now that we’re kind of in the mode of playing again, I think we’re going to come out tomorrow and be really aggressive,” she said.
The Bandits and the Rebellion finish the series on Tuesday with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST and will be aired on CBS Sports Network.
Tickets for Tuesday’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.
