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Bandits Shut Down by Osterman, Fall to Pride 3-2

June 30, 2015 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release


Brittany Cervantes of the Chicago Bandits Rounds the Bases
Brittany Cervantes of the Chicago Bandits Rounds the Bases
(Chicago Bandits, Credit: Dina Kwit)

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Aside from a two-run line shot to the right field bleachers off the bat of Brittany Cervantes, USSSA Pride ace Cat Osterman was unhittable Tuesday night. Osterman, in her eighth year in the NPF, tossed a complete game one-hitter against the Bandits and fanned 10 batters. The dinger by Cervantes (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) was the only offense the Bandits would muster all night as the Pride took game two 3-2 and guaranteed themselves no less than a series split.

"We know (Osterman) is a phenomenal pitcher," Cervantes said. "We're going to face her later (in the season) so the earlier we can get to her the more we feel comfortable in the long run."

The Pride drew first blood as they got to Bandits starter Lacey Waldrop in the opening inning. After a leadoff walk to Natasha Watley (1-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R), former Bandit Megan Wiggins (3-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI) sprayed one to the right-center gap for an RBI-triple. Just like that, the Pride took an early advantage. Bridgette Del Ponte shot an RBI-single to left later in the inning to make it 2-0.

Cervantes' two-run shot in the fourth on a screwball that tailed outside tied the game. She said she was just lucky to even make contact against Osterman.

"The fact that I can make contact against (Osterman) is a statement in and of itself," Cervantes said.

However, the Pride responded in the fifth on a rally again started via a leadoff walk to Watley. She came around to score on a one-out single up the middle by Wiggins.

That was all the support that Osterman needed as she went the distance and did not allow a hit the rest of the way. She overmatched some of the Bandits younger hitters and kept them off-balance with a nice mix of pitches. Lacey Waldrop pitched well for the Bandits, but was settled with the loss and fell to 1-2 on the season. Osterman improved to 5-1 on the season.

The Bandits will try to salvage the series by winning games three and four to earn a split. Game three between the NPF rivals is tomorrow night with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. CT.

"We'll get it together," Cervantes said. "I'm not worried at all."

Tickets for tomorrow night's game and all remaining home games of the 2015 season are on sale now. Visit chicagobandits.com or call the box office at 877-722-6348 to order.




Images from this story

Brittany Cervantes of the Chicago Bandits Rounds the Bases
Brittany Cervantes of the Chicago Bandits Rounds the Bases
(Dina Kwit)		   



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 30, 2015


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