By: Mitchell Ross
The Pennsylvania Rebellion and the Chicago Bandits met for the first time in the 2016 season in the first game of a three game series at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, PA. The Rebellion got the bats going early and with plenty of good pitching secured a win by a final score of 8-1.
The Rebellion wasted no time getting the scoring started. After back-to-back walks to begin the bottom of the 1st, Left Fielder Alexa Peterson hammered a pitch well over the left field fence to give the Rebellion an early 3-0 lead. For that key blast, Peterson once again earns Powerhandz Player of the Game honors.
The Rebellion kept things going in the 1st when consecutive singles from Right Fielder Lexie Elkins and Catcher Kristyn Sandberg and a walk to First Baseman Alisa Goler loaded the bases. A run came across to score when the Bandits failed to record an out on a grounder off the bat of Designated Player Mandy Ogle, and it was 4-0. Third Baseman Whitney Arion got an RBI when she was hit by a pitch and Second Baseman Olivia Watkins picked up an RBI when she was walked and that made it 6-0 Rebellion. The final run of the inning scored on a groundout from Center Fielder Lindsey Stephens to increase the PA advantage to 7-0.
When it was all said and done, the Rebellion sent 12 batters to the plate in the 1st inning. Bandits Starting Pitcher Tatum Edwards was relieved in the inning when she faced nine batters and was unable to record an out.
In the circle, the success continued for the Rebellion. Starter Miranda Kramer finished with 4 innings pitched and only gave up one run on three hits while striking out four. Emily Weiman came into the game in the 5th and recorded the last nine outs of then game without giving up a run.
The only Bandits run was tallied on a 2-out RBI single from Second Baseman Danielle Zymkowitz in the 4th inning.
The Rebellion added an extra insurance run in the 5th. After Whitney Arion was hit by a pitch for the second time, she stole second and came in to score on a 2-out single by Olivia Watkins.
The Rebellion (4-7) and the Bandits (4-3) will be back in action tomorrow evening at 5:00pm for the second game of the series.
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.
