Bandits trade pitchers to get Mowatt from Akron

The Chicago Bandits traded pitcher Kristina Thorson to Akron for pitcher Taryne Mowatt, Bandits general manager Aaron Moore announced Wednesday.

“It feels great to be a Bandit,” said Mowatt. “I played against (the Bandits) in past years and it'll be nice not to face the lineup and have their lineup on my side. I know from my experience of getting back into the NPF last season, what I need to work on this offseason and how to prepare for 2011.”

Mowatt appeared in 15 games last season for the Racers, pitching her way to a 2-3 record in 42 innings pitched.

“Taryne is a player we have high hopes in for the 2011 season,” Moore said in a statement. “She had an up and down season with Akron in 2010, but we're confident she'll be able to find the form that made her one of the elite college pitchers in the last 10 years. She is a proven winner and is a pitcher that wants the ball on a big stage.”

The 2007 ESPY winner for Best Female Athlete and Best Female College Athlete was a member of the 2008 Washington Glory squad that faced off with Chicago for the NPF Championship.

“I'm excited to have her as a Bandit,” said Bandits Owner Bill Sokolis. “She was outstanding in college (at Arizona), pitched well for the Glory and we think she can return to good form. We didn't reach our ultimate goal last season and we need to shake some things up roster wise so we can get another Championship.”