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NPF Chicago Bandits

Bandits Announce Signings of Jones and Galasso

May 28, 2015 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release


Chicago Bandits Signee Vicky Galasso
Chicago Bandits Signee Vicky Galasso
(Chicago Bandits, Credit: Idaho State Athletics)

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Chicago Bandits have added two more players to their 2015 roster from open tryouts, held May 24-25 at The Ballpark at Rosemont. The Bandits selected outfielder Kelsi Jones and catcher Vicky Galasso, per team general manager Aaron M. Moore.

Jones, who played collegiately at Louisville, led the Cardinals in batting average (.364), runs (37), hits (52), doubles (17), slugging percentage (.601) and stolen bases (12) her senior season. The Carmel, Ind. native was instrumental in Louisville reaching the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament for the 12th consecutive season and earned All-ACC First Team recognition. In two exhibition games with the Bandits against the Pennsylvania Rebellion, Jones put forth an impressive effort, collecting three hits and three RBI at the plate. She also made a diving catch in left-center to prevent a run from scoring.

"Kelsi is a player that should help our team out in a lot of ways," said Moore. "She's another quality right-handed hitter on our roster and she will be able to fill many roles.

"She will see some time in all three outfield spots, as well as key player off of the bench. She's definitely a player and person we can see in a Bandits uniform for a long time."

Prior to open tryouts, Jones was asked what it would mean to become a member of a professional softball team.

"It would be really neat opportunity because growing up, I never would have thought that I would have the opportunity to be a professional athlete," Jones said. "There are not a ton of opportunities for females to be professional athletes, so it would be a pretty big deal for me."

Jones also gave credit to her coaches and fellow teammates at Louisville for encouraging her to come to open tryouts and continue her career.

"(My coaches and teammates) were all really excited when they found out that I was trying out," Jones said. "They all want me to do really well and hopefully they're going to make some trips out."

The Bandits also added Idaho State catcher Vicky Galasso to the roster. Galasso had back-to-back 20 home run seasons with the Bengals and batted over .300 in each of her four years. This past season, she was Most Valuable Player in the Big Sky Conference. During the Bandits two exhibition games, Galasso had sound performances behind the plate.

"We knew entering this season's tryouts that we would be looking for a catcher to step in immediately and we think we found that in Galasso," stated Moore. "She's a player that seems to play with an edge and our pitchers meshed with her during tryouts.

"Vicky is going to get a chance to help our team win games."

Over the course of the past four seasons, the Bandits have selected six players from open tryouts, including 2014 National Pro Fastpitch Home Run Champion Brittany Cervantes and five-year veteran Danielle Zymkowitz.

The Bandits will open up the 2015 National Pro Fastpitch regular season on the road against the Rebellion at CONSOL Energy Park in a three-game set beginning this Friday, May 29. Tickets for all 2015 Bandits games, including the home opener on Thursday, June 4 against the Akron Racers, are on sale now. For more information about the Bandits, or to purchase tickets, visit www.chicagobandits.com.




Images from this story

Chicago Bandits Signee Kelsi Jones
Chicago Bandits Signee Kelsi Jones
(Louisville Athletics)		 Chicago Bandits Signee Vicky Galasso
Chicago Bandits Signee Vicky Galasso
(Idaho State Athletics)		  



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from May 28, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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