ROSEMONT – The Bandits used a five-run third inning and a complete game, shutout victory from Sara Moulton to take game one of the series against the Pennsylvania Rebellion by a final score of 5-0.
The complete game effort from Moulton (3-2) was exactly what the team needed after using seven pitchers in the recent two-game series against the Pride. Moulton allowed just three hits in the contest and struck out four. She was able to lower her season ERA by more than a run from 5.06 to 4.04.
“Hopefully the win tonight set the momentum for the next two games,” said Moulton. “We really needed that one.”
While Moulton was doing her thing in the circle, the offense for the Bandits (11-15) was able to score five two-out runs in the third inning off of starting pitcher Emily Weiman.
The big swing of the inning came off the bat of first baseman Brittany Cervantes. After fanning looking to leadoff the first inning, Cervantes was up to the challenge in her second at-bat. She drove the 2-1 offering from Weiman out of the stadium to give the Bandits the lead.
Four more hits and a walk followed the Cervantes homerun to plate the four additional runs.
Jill Barrett singled to right field and was driven in on a Natalie Hernandez double. A Taylor Edwards walk, followed by a Danielle Zymkowitz RBI single set the stage for Megan Blank, who promptly delivered a two-RBI double to make the lead 5-0.
“The five-run inning was super important,” said Moulton. “But we kept saying it’s a 0-0 game and we remained focused and our defense made all the plays behind me.”
Blank finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs and was one of seven Bandits players to record a hit in the game.
“We’re just trying to fight and claw for runs, hits, outs, pitches, everything,” Moulton added. “We keep saying it’s the second-half and we’re going to fight and get gritty and we’re going to see a new Bandits’ team.”
The Bandits and Rebellion will meet for the game two of a three game set on Friday night at The Ballpark at Rosemont. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and Angel Bunner is expected to start the game against her old team. Friday’s game will be carried live on NPFTV.com and 1590 WCGO.
Great seats for Friday and Saturday night’s games are still available by calling the box office at 877-722-6348. Ticket orders can also be made online at www.chicagobandits.com.
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.
