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NPF Chicago Bandits

Bandits Series Preview No. 8 at USSSA Pride

June 28, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release


ROSEMONT - The Bandits wrap up their current seven-game road trip with two games against the league-leading USSSA Pride at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with first pitch in the opener set for 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday.

The Bandits (9-10) are currently in fourth in NPF, five games behind the Pride (13-3). The Bandits are trying to rebound from a tough start to the current road trip, which saw them go 1-4 in their first games in Texas this season.

This will be the first meeting between the Bandits and Pride during the 2016 season. However, the two teams will meet four times in the Bandits' next six contests.

During the current road trip, Taylor Edwards and Danielle Zymkowitz continued to lead an offense that has stalled out - scoring 11 runs in five games, including shutouts in each of the last three. Edwards is batting 6-for-16 in the five game stretch, with two doubles and two walks. Zymkowitz's 11-game hit streak came to an end during Friday's loss, but it was only the second time this season she has not reached base safely in a game. She has hits in 13 of her 18 games played.

The Pride are riding a six-game win streak in which they have outscored opponents 34-17. They not only have the best team batting average in the league, .307, but also the best team ERA, 2.21. The Bandits are fifth in both categories.

Pride outfielder Kelly Kretschman is hitting .500 in 16 games this season, which leads the league. Emily Allard follows with a .412 average in 10 games, but has not played since suffering an injury on June 14.

Pitching may be the key to the series as the Pride have the first and third pitchers in terms of league-best ERA: Jolene Henderson (4-0, 0.00 ERA) and Hannah Rogers (3-1, 1.35 ERA). Michelle Gascoigne (2-2) sports the Bandits' best ERA at 3.47 this season.

Both games in the upcoming series will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and on the air at 1590 WCGO.

Game Schedule, Media Information and Probable Pitching Matchups

Tuesday - 7 p.m. CST CHI: Michelle Gascoigne (2-2) vs. FLA: Jolene Henderson (4-0) Listen: 1590 WCGO Watch: CBS Sports Network

Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - 7 p.m. CST CHI: Sara Moulton (1-1) vs. FLA: Hannah Rogers (3-1) Listen: 1590 WCGO Watch: CBS Sports Network

Players to watch Jill Barrett leads the league in hits with 25, one ahead of the Pride's Kelly Kretschman. Barrett has hits in 13 games this season, including 10 multi-hit games. She is batting .362 this season, which is 10th in the league.

Taylor Edwards continues swinging a hot bat and has a .375 batting average. She saw a nine-game hit streak come to an end during the road trip, but is back on a two-game streak and looking to stay hot.

Danielle Zymkowitz has also been a steady spark in the Bandits' lineup as she has collected hits in 13 of her 18 games played, and has failed to reach base safely in only two games this season.

Pride infielder Sierra Romero, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NPF Draft, was once again a finalist for the Honda Award as the NCAA's Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year as awarded by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. She was the softball nominee last season, as well, for her work during her junior year at Michigan. Pride teammate Keilani Ricketts won the award in 2012-13 as a teammate of Bandits' pitcher Michelle Gascoigne at Oklahoma.

Tickets Single and group tickets for the 2016 Bandits season are available now by calling the office at 877-722-6348 or by visiting www.chicagobandits.com. Tickets start at just $7.25 each.

Tickets are also now available for the brand new MB Financial Club at The Ballpark. The MB Financial Club is the only section in the stadium, other than the party deck, where groups can preorder food for their group. The section is located next to the press box and is available for groups of 12-20 people.

For more information on the Bandits, please contact the team at 877-722-6348 or visit them on the web at www.chicagobandits.com.

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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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