Game Recaps: Pride Win over Wild, Bandits Take Peppers in Six Innings

July 19, 2019 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release

Alex Powers of USSSA Pride
(USSSA Pride)

It did not take long for the Pride to get things rolling, as Chelsea Goodacre started the bottom of the second with a double to the left center gap.

After a Megan Wiggins walk, Brittany Cervantes had executed a sacrifice bunt to advance both runner into scoring potion. Alex Powers caught wind of the rally and contributed with a two RBI double to give the Pride the lead.

The Wild were able to get something going in the top of the third and push one across to cut the Pride lead in half.

Things slowed down until Powers stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and drew a walk. The Pride managed to get the momentum back in their hands.

Allexis Bennett caught the vibe getting a hit following the Powers walk. Powers was able to walk home off a sac fly from Sydney Romero . Kelly Kretschman contributed to the Pride lead with a little small ball action pulling off an epic suicide squeeze to score Bennett.

It was an exciting bottom of the fifth for the Pride as they managed to get two more runs across to increase the lead 4-1.

The Pride had a smooth last two innings as they were able to close out the night taking game one of the series against the Wild.

The Final score of the game was 4-1.

In the circle and getting the win was Taran Alvelo with three strikeouts and going four and two thirds.

Our RIP-It player of the game, for her successful night at the plate, going one for two with two RBIs, and scoring a run herself was Alex Powers.

Quick Facts:

Time: 1hr 26m

Box Score

DiCarlo's Big Night Leads Bandits Over Peppers

ROSEMONT, Ill. - After a road trip during which they lost four of seven, the Bandits were eager to get back on their home turf Thursday night.

Chicago responded with a run-rule victory, pulling away with eight runs in the final three innings to post a 10-2, six-inning win over the Aussie Peppers in the opener of a three-game series.

"We've been chomping at the bit to get back home," Coach Lauren Lappin said. "I really liked the way our team responded, especially tonight. Coming out and having huge production from the bottom of the lineup was really nice to see."

Kelly Barnhill got the start for Chicago and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, then worked around a leadoff single in the second. The Bandits struck for three in the bottom of the second when DiCarlo singled to drive in Svekis, with Taylor also scoring on the play after a throwing error. Jessie Scroggins capped the frame with a double to score DiCarlo.

The Peppers got two back in the third on a two-run double by Stacey McManus, but Barnhill limited the damage from there. Aleshia Ocasio pitched the last three innings without allowing a run.

With the Bandits clinging to a 3-2 lead, the game turned on two key plays in the fourth. The Peppers had a runner at first with one out, and Leigh Godfrey singled into right-center field. Pinch-runner Rachel Lack advanced to third on the play, but Godfrey was caught in a rundown between first and second when second baseman Abby Ramirez tagged her out. Meanwhile, Lack broke for the plate and Ramirez relayed to Gwen Svekis for an inning-ending double play.

In the bottom half, Chicago began to open up its advantage. Nadia Taylor hit a leadoff double to left and moved to third on a Brenna Moss single. Alyssa DiCarlo then hit a three-run homer, bringing the Bandits lead to four.

The rookie had a career night, with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in addition to the long ball for a total of five runs driven in.

"I've been getting more comfortable," DiCarlo said. "It's a different ball game here than it is in college, and sometimes I make it bigger than it is, but I'm starting to settle in."

After DiCarlo's homer in the fourth, Chicago continued to pile on. DiCarlo's sacrifice fly in the fifth plated the Bandits' seventh run, and DJ Sanders hit an infield single to drive in another. Emily Crane's walk-off two-run double in the sixth ended the game via run rule.

"She's really freaking good at hitting," Lappin said of DiCarlo. "To see her explode tonight like that, she's been steady, she's given us a lot of production, but she hasn't had a night like tonight yet, so it was fun to see her do that."

Box Score

The Bandits (23-7) and Peppers (9-24) continue their series Friday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m. CT at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

Alex Powers of USSSA Pride

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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 19, 2019

• O'Toole Wins Pitching Duel Against Parnaby as Bandits Edge Peppers, 1-0 - Chicago Bandits
• Wild Take Game Two from Pride - USSSA Pride
• Bandits' Reed and Cheek Agree to OPAL with Enerfab - NPF
• Game Recaps: Pride Win over Wild, Bandits Take Peppers in Six Innings - NPF

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