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Bandits blank NPF Diamonds

The Chicago Bandits were unfazed by a lightning delay that lasted an hour-and-a-half — earning a 4-0 victory over the NPF Diamonds in Rosemont on Thursday night.

In fact, the lightning may have electrified the Bandits’ bats as they scored a run in each of the two innings following the delay — highlighted by center-fielder Caitlin Lever’s second home run of the season.

The weather delay had come at the top of the fifth inning with the Bandits ahead 2-0, but the game was three outs shy of being official under NPF rules.

Bandits pitcher Nikki Nemitz was nearly perfect, shutting out the Diamonds on only 2 hits in a 7-inning distance performance.

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano was among the 825 fans in attendance and threw out the ceremonial first pitch — overhand — despite injuring his back earlier in the day and having to leave the Cubs game in the second inning.

Fans who have a ticket stub from the game may redeem it for a free ticket to today’s contest between the Bandits and Diamonds at 7:30 p.m. For those without a stub, tickets are discounted to $5 for the game.

The Bandits struck first in the second inning. etting hit by a pitch, Caitlin Lever was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a hit by Jamee Juarez.

In the third, Megan Wiggins doubled and Rachel Folden delivered an RBI double.