Rosemont, IL (August 4, 2016) – Kelly Kretschman drove in five runs as the Bandits fell to the league-leading USSSA Pride in game two of a three-game series Thursday night at The Ballpark at Rosemont. The veteran outfielder, who leads the NPF in numerous offensive categories, helped propel the Pride to a 6-3 win and force a rubber match tomorrow night.
USSSA (33-12) got on the board early as Kretschman lashed an RBI-double to left-center, plating the game’s opening run in Megan Wiggins. The lead quickly doubled in the following inning when Kelsey Stewart (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) picked up an RBI-double of her own. Sara Moulton (L, 5-4) was tagged for both runs and ultimately suffered the loss.
Pride starter Jolene Henderson (W, 9-3) shut the Bandits down in the first two frames, allowing the Pride to jump out to the early advantage. Henderson delivered five strong innings for the Pride, allowing just one earned run on two hits. She kept the Bandits (21-23) off-balance throughout her performance, striking out three. Her effort, along with a 13-hit attack at the plate, was enough to give the Pride the win.
“We need to do a better job on both sides – offense and defense,” Amanda Kamekona said. “You can’t win a game being out-hit 13-3.”
Despite the gap in hits, the Bandits did not go quietly. Kellsi Kloss (0-for-0, HBP, R) came across to score when a throw on a Jill Barrett (0-for-2, SH, SB) stolen base attempt sailed into center. At the time, it cut the deficit to just one run, but the Pride scored four of the next six to seal the win.
The Pride responded in the fourth when Courtney Ceo (1-for-3, R) and Haylie McCleney (2-for-5, 2 R) both singled, bringing up Kretschman (3-for-3, HR, 2 2B, 5 RBI), who doubled off the fence in left to bring them both home.
Kretschman later sent a two-run home run into the party deck in left to cap off a three-hit effort.
The Bandits got within striking distance late in the ballgame thanks to an RBI-groundout from pinch-hitter Natalie Hernandez (0-for-2, RBI) and a towering solo shot to left from Brittany Cervantes (1-for-3, HR, RBI). It was Cervantes’ seventh home run of the season, ranking second on the team behind Taylor Edwards’ nine.
Amanda Kamekona (1-for-3), who signed with the Bandits following her release from the Pride on July 25, said the team needs to re-focus ahead of tomorrow night’s series finale.
“Tomorrow’s a clean slate,” Kamekona said. “The other team is just another jersey in the dugout as long as we play our game.”
First pitch in game three of the series, the last regular season meeting between the Bandits and Pride in 2016, is set for 7:35 p.m. CST. It will be Fan Appreciation Night at The Ballpark at Rosemont, which has hosted a crowd of 1,000 or more fans a total of 20 times this season. Standing-room only tickets are still available.
