ROSEMONT – (By: Allie Bettenhausen) In the Bandits’ first extra-inning game of the season, they erased a 10-5 deficit, but ultimately could not complete the comeback, falling in eight innings by a score of 13-10 to the USSSA Pride.
After the Pride jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Sierra Romero’s first inning three-run home run over the party deck in left, the Bandits (10-14) responded with a pair of runs in the second inning. Danielle Zymkowitz roped a ball to the right field corner, part of a five-hit night for her. She was driven in by Brenna Moss (3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI) and Brittany Cervantes (0-for-4, SF, RBI) delivered a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one.
USSSA (16-3) extended their lead in the fourth, however, when former Bandit Megan Wiggins (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) sent one over the right-center fence to put the Pride ahead 7-2.
USSSA’s five-run lead remained intact until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Bandits plated five runs to tie the game.
Tatum Edwards, who came through with a pinch-hit two-RBI double in the previous inning, said the Bandits showed a good approach at the plate.
“Our fight was there and we were gritty and scrappy, just getting runs any way we could,” Edwards said.
Designated player Natalie Hernandez (2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) drove in a pair with a single and two more runs went up on the board via a single error on a Brenna Moss (3-for-5, 2 RBI, 3 R) down the third base line. Megan Blank’s chopper up the middle brought home the game-tying run with two outs in the frame. It was part of a three-hit night for Blank.
However, four errors seemingly did the Bandits in. Following a scoreless seventh inning, Pride pinch-hitter GiOnna DiSalvatore delivered the ultimate blow in extras, smacking an RBI-double to right-center to bring home the eventual winning run.
“We just need our defense to be as crisp as we planned and we would have had the win tonight,” Edwards said.”
Missy Taukeiaho added salt to the wound with a two-run homer to left-center to give the Pride a three-run lead in the eighth. The Bandits could not muster one final response.
Morgan Foley (L, 1-2) was settled with the loss after allowing three runs in 2.1 innings. Foley had retired all 10 Pride batters she faced in her previous appearance against USSSA. Jordan Taylor (W, 1-0) earned her first win of the season for the Pride.
“We just have to refocus,” Edwards said. “We scored a lot of runs and gave ourselves opportunities to win the game. We just didn’t come out on the right side.”
The Bandits and Pride will meet for game two tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. at The Ballpark at Rosemont. The game will be broadcast via NPFTV and 1590 WCGO.
Tickets for Wednesday’s game 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.
