Bandits reach NPF softball final
HOOVER, Ala. - The Chicago Bandits won Game 2 of the NPF Championship Series semifinal Saturday, beating the Akron Racers 5-2 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Saturday's win secured the Bandits' trip into the NPF Championship Series Final, where they will face the USSSA Pride.
Michelle Gascoigne got the call for the Bandits and was locked in early, throwing just eight pitches in the first inning for 2 strikeouts and a fly out to left field to send the Racers down in order.
With Lisa Norris in the circle for the Racers, the Bandits began the offensive early as Brittany Cervantes drew a leadoff walk, moving to second on a line drive from Amber Patton. But, Norris would not be fazed as she recorded the next three outs via the strikeout to end the inning.
It was the Racers who got on the board first yet again, this time in the third inning as Ashely Thomas reached first on a fielder's choice. Ayumi Karino drew a walk as a ground out advanced both runners into scoring position while Taylor Schlopy drew the second walk of the inning to load the bases for the Racers. Nerissa Myers squeezed a ball into left field, on a play that was eventually ruled an error on Danielle Zymkowitz, to put Akron up 2-0.
The Bandits continued to threaten finally breaking through in the bottom of the fourth as Tammy Williams led things off with a single, moving to second on a ground out from Emily Allard as Brenna Moss stepped to the plate. Her RBI single scored Williams, cutting the Bandits deficit to just a run. Cervantes drew yet another walk as Amber Patton singled to short as the Bandits found themselves with the bases loaded, but a pop up to third ended the rally.
Chicago added to their lead in the fifth as Megan Blank walked to start the inning followed by a Williams single. Another walk drawn by Allard, saw the Bandits with their second bases loaded situation of the game. Danielle Zymkowitz drew a four-pitch walk to bring home Blank for the tying run when 2015 Offensive Player of the Year, Brittany Cervantes, stepped to the plate. Her base hit to left field scored Zymkowitz while multiple errors by the Racers made it a 5-2 game.
That score would hold as Monica Abbott came on in the seventh following a walk to Brianna Hamilton, to secure the victory for the Bandits. Gascoigne picked up the win allowing just two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in six innings pitched, while Abbott recorded the save.