Pride: 0
Bandits: 1
Rosemont, IL – The Pride traveled to Chicago for the first time in the 2013 season to take on the Bandits in the battle for first place in the NPF standings. The first of a four game series featured pitchers Sarah Pauly and Monica Abbott for the Pride and Bandits respectively.
The Pride threatened with two hits in the top of the second form GiOnna DiSalvatore and Andrea Duran, but DiSalvatore was thrown out in an attempt to steal third. Monica Abbott ended the inning with two strike outs.
After a quiet top of the third, Bandit’s Kimi Pohlman hit a double in the bottom of the third, but a great defensive play by the Pride’s centerfielder Caitlin Lowe and a fielder’s choice left two Bandits on base. The game was scoreless at the end of three.
The Pride gained momentum in the top of the fifth when Lauren Lappin reached on a single and moved into scoring position after stealing second. However, the Bandits’ defense retired the next two batters and escaped the inning without a run scored. In the bottom half of the inning, the Bandits’ bats were unable to connect, leaving the game scoreless heading into the sixth.
The Bandits threatened in the bottom of the sixth when Megan Wiggins reached second after a confusing play in the infield resulted in a dropped ball. Eri Yamada got on base with a single, but both were stranded, still no score going into the seventh inning.
The Pride were unable to get anything going in the seventh, but that was not the case for the Bandits with Amber Patton reaching first on an error. Vicky Galindo followed with a hit to move Patton into scoring position. Tammy Williams beat out the throw to first to load the bases and Kimi Pohlman hit the ball into the infield, giving the Bandits the walk-off win with a score of 1-0.
Monica Abbott received her third win of the season and recorded 13 strikeouts, putting her just one behind the season high of 39, which is currently held by the Pride’s Cat Osterman
The second game of the four-game series is tomorrow, Friday, June 21. First pitch is set for 7:35 P.M.
About USSSA Florida Pride:
The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About NPF:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!