Thunder Series Preview #8 â at Chicago Bandits
Published on August 12, 2009 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
August 12, 2009 - ROCKFORD - The Thunder heads to Elgin to take on the Bandits for the final regular season series for both teams in 2009 beginning with a 7:05 p.m. game on Wednesday night.
The two teams last played from July 7-11 in Rockford and it was all Chicago in that series as they swept the Thunder in five games. In the five-game series the Bandits (23-11) outhit the Thunder by almost sixty batting average points and their pitching was also that much better. Chicago pitchers gave up just eight runs (six earned) in the five games, while the Thunder surrendered 24 earned runs for an ERA of 4.80.
This series marks the first time in 20 games that the Thunder (18-17) roster will be intact, with the exception of Shannon Nord who left the team to return to her teaching duties. Cat Osterman, Jenae Leles and Ashley Holcombe were all absent from the last Chicago series due to their commitment to the National Team.
Although the Thunder has secured a playoff berth, they are still battling for seeding in next week's four-team tournament. The Thunder must win at least one game in the series to guarantee the 3rd place position.
Game Schedule (all times CDT) Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 7:05 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 3:05 p.m.
Players to watch The Bandits will look to the offensive leadership of reigning NPF Player of the Year Stacy May and 2008 NPF Rookie of the Year Rachel Folden in the series with the Thunder. During the July series May and Folden led the way offensively for Chicago. Folden finished the series with a .529 (9-for-17) batting average and she connected for two home runs and six runs batted in. May, who was equally impressive defensively, hit .429 against Rockford and like Folden also drove in six runs.
Rockford will need Amanda Williams, Lyndsey Angus and Megan Willis to continue their hot hitting of the last 10 games when they visit the Bandits, but they'll also need Jenna Rhodes to hit like she did against the Bandits in July. Rhodes led the Thunder against Chicago with .417 (7-for-17) batting average, but she has struggled of late and is just 4-for-30 on the current road trip. Williams continues to lead the team in several categories this season and she is hitting .367 over the last 10 games to raise her season average to .319. Angus, who started the year in a huge slump is 8-for-26 in the last 10 games, and has raised her batting average to .222 on the season. In addition to the offense, the Thunder pitching staff must do a better job in keeping the Bandits off the bases.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 12, 2009
- Force's Postseason Hopes Fall Short - Philadelphia Force
- Cat Osterman, Thunder roll Bandits 2-0 - Chicago Bandits
- Thunder Series Preview #8 â at Chicago Bandits - Rockford Thunder
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