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Chicago Bandits

Edwards Hits Third Walk-Off as Allard Makes Triumphant Return

August 3, 2015 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release


Brenna Moss of the Chicago Bandits
Brenna Moss of the Chicago Bandits
(Chicago Bandits, Credit: Dina Kwit)

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Monday morning, Emily Allard made her return to the Bandits lineup after missing three games due to a wrist injury. Monday afternoon, she propelled them to a late comeback victory over the Akron Racers in the back half of a doubleheader that began with a 3-0 win over the Pennsylvania Rebellion. Against the Racers, Allard had a game-tying single late and Taylor Edwards came through with her third walk-off of the season in the seventh to send the Bandits to a two-win day.

The early game had originally been scheduled for yesterday afternoon, however a microburst that tore through Rosemont forced a cancellation and postponement of the game to this morning. The game against Akron was scheduled to be played at 7:05 p.m. CT, but concerns over the proper functioning of the light fixtures at the stadium forced the game to be played in the afternoon instead of at night. It has been a whirlwind last couple of days for the Bandits to say the least.

"To come back after a day like yesterday and be present and attentive and energetic was something to be proud of," Allard said. "It was a big reality check to step back on the field and play for something one thousand times bigger than ourselves and leave it all out here whether we won or lost. We're incredibly happy to come away with two wins."

Allard's sixth inning single up the middle allowed pinch-runner Sammy Marshall to race home and tie the game at 3-3 after Akron had taken advantage of two throwing errors in the fourth to gain a 3-2 lead. It was an impactful return for the second-year center fielder, who followed up her 1-for-3 performance in the early game with a two-hit game against the Racers. It was not the first time Allard has returned from a significant injury.

"I've sat out an entire year of my college career (at Northwestern) and I hated every second of it," Allard said. "However, I was able to take that experience to this situation and served whatever role I had to on the bench. To get back on the field meant a lot. You just have to learn to fight through it."

In the seventh, Brittany Cervantes (1-for-2, 2 BB, R) and Amber Patton (1-for-4) smacked consecutive one-out singles before Taylor Edwards (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) came through with a walk-off double to left-center, her third of the season. Allard said Edwards clutch factor has been drilled into the rest of the team as well.

"(Edwards) is incredible," Allard said. "I think the thing I admire most about her is the way she takes her at-bats. She takes it one at-bat at a time. To strike out twice in the beginning of the game and then to come up and get that (game-winning) hit, I love it."

Despite committing the two throwing errors, Lacey Waldrop (W, 3-4) picked up the win for the Bandits in the circle, tossing a complete game, six-hitter. Brenna Moss (1-for-3, 2 RBI) also had a big two-RBI single in the second inning to give the Bandits their first lead of the game.

The Bandits will be back in action tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. CT for game two of their three-game set against the Racers. Tickets for tomorrow night's game or Wednesday's regular season finale at The Ballpark at Rosemont can be purchased by visiting www.chicagobandits.com or by calling the box office at 877-722-6348




Images from this story

Brenna Moss of the Chicago Bandits
Brenna Moss of the Chicago Bandits
(Dina Kwit)		   

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