Goler goes deep to lift Bandits

Alisa Goler just wanted another chance to hit in the eighth inning.

She got it and made good on it, connecting on a 3-run shot to center field in the top of the eighth to give the Chicago Bandits a 3-0 win over the Akron Racers on Friday at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.

Goler’s home run was her sixth on the year and bumped her RBI total to 20.

Amber Patton led off the extra inning with a grounder that deflected off third baseman Kelley Montalvo’s glove. Patton advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Danielle Zymkowitz. Then Megan Wiggins drew a walk on a full count, and Goler jumped on the first pitch she saw from Lisa Norris to even the series at 1-1.

Monica Abbott (9-1) threw all 8 innings for the Bandits (14-8), allowing 5 hits and striking out nine.

Lugnuts 3, Cougars 2: Kane County had another quiet night offensively at Elfstrom Stadium and dropped the series finale to Lansing to suffer its first three-game home sweep since May.

Santiago Garrido (0-3) lasted 5 innings for the Cougars, giving up 7 hits. Mike Giovenco and Chas Byrne both tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief. In the series, the Cougars scored a total of 3 runs on 16 hits and never held a lead.

Outlaws 5, Fielders 2: On Thursday night, visiting Chico topped Lake County after scoring 3 runs in the top of the ninth inning.

The Fielders#146; Alan Rick led off the second inning with a solo homer, his third of the season.

The loss dropped the Fielders a half-game out of first place in the North American League#146;s Northern Division.