Waldrop sterling as Bandits top Racers 3-1

Lacey Waldrop proved why she was deserving of the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 National Pro Fastpitch Draft Friday night. The Florida State star shined in her first career start in the circle for the Bandits, who defeated the Akron Racers 3-1 to claim the series.

Waldrop, the 2014 USA Softball National Player of the Year, tossed a complete game, one-hitter and was in control all game. She kept the Racers off-balance with a mix of off-speed pitches and a fastball that settled around 63 mph.

"It's something that you dream about as a little kid," Waldrop said. "It was just really cool to be out here and have such a great team behind me making me feel comfortable in my first game."

Akron actually jumped ahead early on a solo home run off the bat of Kailee Cuico, but that would be all the offense the Racers had. Cuico's homer was the lone blemish of the game for Waldrop, who fanned nine batters and retired 15 in a row to close the game.

"(After the home run) I was thinking that wasn't going to happen again," Waldrop said. "I definitely changed up a little bit and made some adjustments."

In the second inning, with the Bandits trailing 1-0, Kirsten Verdun (0-for-1, R, BB) drew a leadoff walk and later came around when a throw from the Racers third baseman Kelly Montalvo sailed into right field. Rookie outfielder Kelsi Jones (0-for-1, RBI) laid down a perfect bunt to score Amber Patton (2-for-2, RBI, R, BB), who had also moved up via the Montalvo error, giving the Bandits the lead.

The Bandits added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Tammy Williams (2-for-3, RBI) came through with an RBI-single to the left side, scoring Brenna Moss (0-for-4, R). Three runs were all Waldrop would need as she shut down the Racers in the final innings and preserved the Bandits undefeated record.

"I'm going to try to be the best for my team and get the wins as best I can to put us in a position for a championship," Waldrop said.

The Bandits now sit at 5-0 on the season and will go for the series sweep Saturday. The first pitch for the series finale between the Bandits and Racers is set for 7:35 p.m.