USSSA Pride Hold on for 4-3 Win over Bandits
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (By: Jason Lowenthal) – The Bandits ended their scoring drought at 34 innings, but had their comeback attempt fall narrowly short, Wednesday night at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Trailing 4-0 entering the sixth, Taylor Edwards (2-for-4) and Brittany Cervantes (1-for-3, R, BB) kicked off the rally with consecutive singles. Kristen Brown followed by smacking a two-RBI double to center, ending the Bandits’ long shutout streak. The Bandits had been shut out in four consecutive contests, entering Wednesday’s game.
Megan Blank (1-for-3, RBI) would later add an RBI-bloop single to center, scoring Danielle Zymkowitz, who managed to evade the tag at the plate. That brought the Bandits within a run, but after Blank moved up to third on a passed ball, she was stranded there.
The Bandits (9-12) once again threatened in the seventh after Jordan Taylor (SV, 4) pitched around Cervantes and issued a two-out walk, bringing Brown to the plate with a chance to deliver her second critical hit of the ballgame. However, Brown went down swinging to end the game as Taylor earned her league-leading fourth save of the season in a two-inning performance. She had entered the game in relief of Pride (15-3) starter Jolene Henderson (W, 5-0), who was responsible for the first two Bandits runs, her first earned runs allowed all season.
Morgan Foley (3.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H) pitched effectively out of the bullpen for the Bandits after starting pitcher Sara Moulton (L, 1-2) surrendered four runs in the third inning. Foley entered with the bases loaded and two down in the frame and went on to retire all 10 batters she faced, allowing the Bandits to make a run at a comeback.
With the loss, the Bandits concluded their seven-game road trip, going just 1-6 in that span. The Pride, meanwhile, have won 10 of their last 11.
The Bandits will make their return to The Ballpark at Rosemont on Friday, July 1 against the Akron Racers, with first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Tickets for 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.
