Bandits inches away from victory, fall to Rebellion 4-2
The Rebellion defeated the Bandits 4-2 in a wacky game that saw two ties and three lead changes. Kirsten Verdun started for the Bandits against Emma Johnson of the Rebellion. Verdun (L, 3-1) allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in the loss.
Natalie Hernandez (2-3, 3B, 1B) started her second straight game for Emily Allard, who suffered a wrist injury two days ago. Hernandez kept her hot streak going after Thursday's homerun with a triple to deep left center in the bottom of the fourth. Tammy Williams (2-3, 2B, RBI) singled Hernandez home to give the Bandits an early 1-0 lead.
"I'm just trying to stay within myself and breathe and know that it could be my last at-bat," Hernandez said of her mindset at the plate as a starter. "So I'm trying to make every one count because I don't know what will happen later on."
Mandy Ogle tied the game at 1 for the Rebellion with a double to right to score Courtney Senas. Senas singled to left with 2 outs and Verdun hit Cheyenne Cordes with a pitch to set the stage for Ogle. After Senas scored, the Bandits benefited from a terrific throwing relay from Brittany Cervantes in right to Danielle Zymkowitz to Taylor Edwards to get Cordes out at home.
In the fifth, Megan Blank (1-4, RBI, HR) broke the tie with a deep solo homer to the right field bleachers.
"I feel like our whole lineup is very good players all the way around," Hernandez said about receiving contributions from the entire team. "Anyone can come off the bench and get a pinch hit. Anyone can do anything that they need to and I think that is what makes our team so great."
Haylie Wagner (W 3-3) came on in the sixth to earn the win. Johnson allowed 4 hits and 2 runs in five innings.
Sarah Prezioso tied the game for the Rebellion a second time in the top of the seventh with an opposite field homer. Her homerun bounced off the top of the wall in right center to get out of the ballpark.
Cordes then doubled to score Senas who reached on a fielder's choice and bring on Tatum Edwards in relief for Verdun. Cordes advanced to third on the late throw home. Ogle bunted to Tatum Edwards who fielded the ball and flipped it to sister battery mate, Taylor Edwards, at home. Taylor Edwards dropped the ball on the slide by Cordes to give the Rebellion a 4-2 final score.
The Bandits hosted a player's only meeting in centerfield to discuss this tough loss.
"Just stay within ourselves," Hernandez said of the postgame discussion. "We know that stuff comes up and we should have finished that game stronger. But we have a couple more days until the playoffs and we need to start preparing for the championship game."