Bandits fall 11-1 in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Chicago Bandits couldn't get much going on either side of the plate on Monday night at JoAnne Graf Field against the USSSA Pride, falling 11-1 for their second straight defeat.

After Sahvanna Jaquish chopped an RBI single up the middle in the top half of the first inning to open up the scoring, it was all trouble for the Bandits. USSSA scored the next 11 runs to take a commanding advantage. Jaquish's hit, one of the lone bright spots in the game for the Bandits, marked the first RBI of her professional career.

USSSA's Sierra Romero delivered the initial blow, sending a 2-out pitch over the center field wall for a grand slam in the opening frame. It was the beginning of a short night in the circle for Bandits' starter Shelby Turnier, who lasted 3 innings while allowing 6 earned runs on four hits. The second-year right-hander from Central Florida fell to 1-1 on the season with the loss.

The Pride did not let up after Romero's blast, scoring runs in four of the first five innings. Ellen Sara Roberts and Breanna Wonderly also saw time in the circle for the Bandits. Chicago finished even in the hit column at 8-8 in part from Emily Carosone's three-hit night, but could not string together enough base knocks to make a dent in the deficit.

Carosone and Jaquish each reached base three times in the game for the Bandits and Emily Crane stole a pair of bases in the loss.

The series finale between the Pride and Bandits is set for 6:05 p.m. on Tuesday night. Chicago will try to avoid a road sweep after winning six of its first seven contests.