Bandits drop low-scoring finale to Rebellion

WASHINGTON, Pa. - Despite a complete game performance from Michelle Gascoigne (L, 1-2), the Bandits dropped the series finale against the Pennsylvania Rebellion by a score of 2-1 on Monday night.

Gascoigne could not outlast Rebellion (5-8) starter Emily Weiman, who tossed six strong innings, allowing just one run. Haylie Wagner earned the save, stranding the potential tying run on third base.

It was a scoreless pitcher's duel early on, with Gascoigne and Weiman each putting up zeroes for the first three frames. However, back-to-back home runs from Pennsylvania's Kristyn Sandberg and Alisa Goler in the fourth proved to be Gascoigne's undoing despite only allowing five hits in the contest.

The Bandits (5-4) would not go quietly, though. Back-to-back singles leading off the fifth by Jill Barrett (2-for-3, BB) and Emily Allard (2-for-4, RBI) put the Bandits in business to respond, but three consecutive outs ended the threat quickly.

Allard put the Bandits on the board with two outs in the sixth on a chopper just out of the reach of Weiman in the circle. She beat out the infield single, allowing Brenna Moss (0-for-4, R) to cross the plate. The bases remained loaded, but Weiman managed to escape the jam and keep the Rebellion lead intact with a fly out.

In the seventh, Bandits catcher Taylor Edwards, who collecting five RBI in last night's game, led off with a single up the middle. She was replaced by a pinch-runner, Allie Bauch, who subsequently moved into scoring position thanks to a sacrifice bunt. However, Haylie Wagner managed to strand Bauch at third to secure the win for the Rebellion.

The Bandits stranded 12 runners in the ballgame and left the bases loaded twice in the game.

The Bandits will continue their road trip with a quick two-game series against the Akron Racers at Firestone Stadium, beginning Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.