Pendley and the Pride Top Racers 8-2
July 7, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release
ROSEMONT, IL (July 6, 2016) - The Bandits lost for the eighth time in 10 games on Wednesday night as they dropped an 8-2 decision to the USSSA Pride to fall to 10-15 on the season.
The Bandits jumped on the board with a run in the second inning on an RBI hit by right fielder Danielle Zymkowitz - it was the team's only lead of the series. The single drove in designated player Taylor Edwards, who doubled to open the inning. The single by Zymkowitz was the sixth consecutive hit for her after collecting five hits on Tuesday night.
"[Zymkowitz] is one of our vets and she wants to lead by example, she wants to show us what it takes," centerfielder Sammy Marshall said. "She has gone out there, put her head down, and gotten hits when we needed them."
The lead, however, was short-lived.
Former Bandits outfielder Megan Wiggins connected on a no-doubt home run to straightaway center field in the top of the third inning to tie the game at two.
Bandits shortstop Jill Barrett drove in the only other Bandits run in the home half of the fifth on an RBI-double down the right field line to score Marshall, who singled to lead off the inning.
A defensive miscue led to three unearned runs for USSSA (17-3) in the top of the sixth inning to extend the lead to 5-2. They added three more runs in the top of the seventh inning to close out the scoring at 8-2.
The Bandits have now committed an error in 12 of 13 games and they committed a total of five errors in the two-game series with the Pride.
"It's hard to say one thing (that contributed to the loss), it was a compilation of things," Marshall added. "We get rid of an error, get a big hit in key situations or don't leave too many people on base with runners in scoring position. If we just clean up our game a little bit and take advantage of the opportunities we're given, it's going to be smooth sailing from here."
Michelle Gascoigne was saddled with the loss to fall to 2-4 on the season. Gascoigne threw 6.1 innings in the loss, allowing seven runs (four earned) and striking out five.
Rookie pitcher Kelsey Nunley recorded the win for the Pride to improve her record to 2-1 on the season. Nunley allowed just three hits in 2.2 innings of relief work to record the victory. Veteran hurler Chelsea Thomas started the game for USSSA, but didn't factor in the decision.
Marshall commented on the upcoming series with the Rebellion. "It's a fresh start, come in and it's a new series. New set of hitters, new team, new pitchers, we just have to go out there and play our Bandits softball. If we do that well, there's no team that will stand a chance against us."
The Bandits and Rebellion will meet for the first game of a three game set on Thursday night at The Ballpark at Rosemont. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be carried live on NPFTV.com, WGNTV.com and 1590 WCGO.
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National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 7, 2016
- Alabama Great, Haylie McCleney, Signs with the USSSA Pride - USSSA Pride
- Alabama Great Haylie McCleney Signs with the USSSA Pride - NPF
- Pendley and the Pride Top Racers 8-2 - NPF
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