Edwards plays hero as Bandits outlast Pride

In her last outing, Monica Abbott was perfect against the Dallas Charge. In Monday night's series opener against the USSSA Pride, she was not perfect. However, she was equally as impressive, tossing all nine innings in a thrilling 3-0 walk-off victory for the Bandits. It was a much-needed win for the Bandits, who entered the game even with the Pride in the loss column, but with 4 fewer wins. With the victory, the Bandits moved to within a half game of catching their NPF rivals for the top spot in the league

Taylor Edwards (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) provided the heroics for the Bandits, launching a 2-out, 3-run shot over the left-center wall in the ninth inning. It was the second walk-off of the season for Edwards, who took Keilani Ricketts deep on a changeup, a pitch she had been fooled by all night.

"She had been getting me on that pitch all night long," Edwards said. "I just got my foot down and sat back on that one."

Edwards, who also caught Abbott's perfect game last week, called a solid game as Abbott was able to outlast Ricketts in a classic pitcher's duel. The two matched each other pitch-for-pitch, but it was Abbott who came away with a complete game shutout.

"Monica (Abbott) is a fighter. Her game plan is just to pinpoint every pitch throughout the game and it's my job to keep her and I together on the field as the battery."

With zeros reading across the scoreboard, Abbott trotted out to the circle for her ninth inning of work. Even though she allowed a leadoff single to Natasha Watley (1-for-4), Abbott battled through, as she had done all game. The next batter, Kelly Kretschman, lined into a double play, eliminating any scoring threat.

"Tonight, Monica (Abbott) really toughened up in some key situations. She found a way to get the outs she needed to get. Ultimately, she battled and kept us in a position to win the game."

After Abbott worked her ninth scoreless frame, Tammy Williams (1-for-4, R) beat out an infield single with two outs in the bottom half of the inning to get the winning rally going for the Bandits. Brittany Cervantes (1-for-4, R) followed up with a line drive single to put the winning run at second. That is when Edwards took center stage, launching the game-winning blast to left-center. She was mobbed at home by her teammates and then went over to embrace Abbott as the team continued to celebrate.

The Bandits and Pride will continue their home-and-home series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. at The Ballpark at Rosemont. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.