Record-setting D-II pitcher signs with Chicago Bandits

After losing star pitcher Monica Abbott to the new Houston team, the Chicago Bandits added to their pitching ranks by agreeing to a one-year contract with a Division II standout.

Joining the Bandits for the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch season is Morgan Foley, 22, the all-time leader in wins at the University of Indianapolis.

Foley, who becomes the first Division II player to play for Chicago in its 12-year history, will join the team for its first practice on Monday.

“This is a signing our entire organization is excited about,” Bandits general manager Aaron M. Moore said in a statement. “Too many times players at smaller schools, including those at the Division II level, get overlooked by our teams and it's time to make a change.

Moore expects Foley to surprise a lot of people in NPF.

“She throws the balls extremely hard, is effective down in the zone and has the ability to locate the ball,” he added.

At Indianapolis, Foley became the school's all-time leader in wins (140), innings pitched (1027.0) and strikeouts (1,659). The right-hander hurler had 8 career no-hitters, including one in the opening game of the 2015 World Series.

Foley holds an NCAA-record by fanning 30 batters in a 13-inning, one-hit win against Rockhurst. She also became the third pitcher in NCAA history (first DII pitcher) to strikeout all 21 hitters in a seven-inning game.