Cervantes Homers, Abbott K's 14 in Shutout of Charge
June 22, 2015 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release
Chicago Bandits' Brittany Cervantes Celebrates Homer
(Chicago Bandits, Credit: Dina Kwit)
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Monica Abbott proved why she's the ace pitcher of the Bandits staff with a 14 strikeout complete game shutout to give Chicago a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Charge and a 2-0 lead in the season series.
2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and two-time National Champion, Lauren Haeger started in the circle for the Charge. Vanessa Stokes relieved Haeger in the fourth inning after she gave up four runs in 3.1 innings pitched. The four runs scored was more than enough support for Abbott.
"Our team came out and we just competed," she said. "I think that's the goal is that we just want to come out every inning and every pitch and just compete and be mentally focused each pitch."
For the second straight game Taylor Edwards batted in the first Chicago run. Edwards popped out to center to score Emily Allard who led off the first inning with a slap single.
In the second, the Bandits were able to capitalize on two popup miscues by Dallas for two runs and increase their lead to 3-0. Brittany Cervantes started the inning with a popup that the Charge infielders let drop in the pitcher's circle. Amber Patton drove Cervantes in with a double. The miscommunication continued when Kelsi Jones hit a popup between Kahley Novak at second and Brianna Cherry in shallow right. Patton came around to score on the play after advancing to third on a Danielle Zymkowitz sacrifice bunt.
Abbott ran into a little trouble in the third with runners on first and third and one out but was bailed out by a strikeout and a caught stealing play to squash the lone scoring opportunity. Edwards threw to second after the strikeout where Renada Davis was called safe on the steal but over slid the bag and proceeded to run to third. Tammy Williams threw the ball back to Edwards who chased Kaitlyn Richardson, the base runner on third, back and flipped to Patton who successfully made the tag for the third out.
"I have complete confidence in our defense," Abbott said. "We have a veteran infield. We are very confident out there and we know that no matter what if we make a good play and a good throw, even if there is a mistake we are going to get it back."
Cervantes hit her third homer of the season in the fourth to give Chicago their final run and a 4-0 lead.
"I love watching our offense compete out there," Abbott said. "Every pitch something fun can happen."
The Bandits will look to go for the series sweep of the Dallas Charge tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.
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
 Chicago Bandits' Brittany Cervantes Celebrates Homer (Dina Kwit) |
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