Sports stats



NPF Chicago Bandits

May-Johnson's Pinch Hit Single Leads Bandits to Series Win

June 3, 2017 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release


ROSEMONT, IL - As Stacy May-Johnson walked off the field after a 9-4 victory, the first one to greet her, with a huge smile, was none other than her daughter, Corrie. "I didn't know if she'd be here, or if she'd be at home in bed, but here she is," May-Johnson said.

As Johnson spoke with the media after the game, teammate Emily Allard came up to Corrie with an even bigger smile.

"Did you see your mommy win - Allard said with a smile as Corrie giggles.

"It was a special thing, but the girls made it really special and really fun," May-Johnson added.

It all started in the bottom of the first, with two outs on a 2-0 count, when Natalie Hernandez saw a pitch she liked and took a swing. Her single to center made way for designated player Emily Allard to score the Bandits' first run of the game after she reached with a base hit of her own.

The Racers responded to Hernandez's RBI single in the first with an edge. It only took one turn through the lineup for the Racers' leadoff batter, Taylor Schlopy, to crush a ball to left, scoring two after Griffin Joiner reached first with a single.

After Allard struck out to start the fifth inning, she reached base on a pitch with the same adjective to the rally that erupted as of a result, "wild."

"I feel like the softball gods were on my side [there]," Allard said. "A change-up turned into a dropped third strike. I think that was the universe trying to tell us something. I can't complain. It was awesome."

Hernandez later added her second base hit and RBI of the game, allowing the tying run to score after Akron had pulled ahead.

The following at bat, Stacy May-Johnson, who came out of retirement for a second time to join the Bandits for the 2017 season, saw her first regular season at-bat since 2011 as a pinch-hitter. Facing a 1-0 count, May-Johnson hit a hard fly ball to right, which quickly dropped to send Allard home and Carosone to second.

"It's unbelievable," May-Johnson said. "When you take five years off, you are not trying to do anything fancy up there, you are just trying to get a good pitch to hit. Get the bat on the ball, and see what happens, and fortunately I was able do that, the ball dropped, and we got the lead."

After the Bandits scored six runs from three straight scoring plays, Allard then was brought to the plate for the second time in the inning, this time driving in final run to seal an explosive eight-run inning.

Following the rally, Shelby Turnier relieved Bandits starter Haylie Wagner (W, 2-0) in the top of the sixth. Wagner left after tossing five innings while surrendering six hits and two runs. Turnier struck out the final batter of the game, Akron's Sam Fischer, to seal the 9-4 win.

The Bandits are off to a 2-0 start, marking their third consecutive season with a pair of wins to kick off the campaign. The finale of the three-game set against the Racers is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NPF TV.

Quick facts:

Attendance: 1,114 Vaultz® Lock it Up® Player of the Game: Stacy May Johnson Time of game: Two hours, five minutes

• Discuss this story on the National Pro Fastpitch message board...

National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 3, 2017


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.

Other Recent Chicago Bandits Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central