Butler's home run sparks Bandits to 2-1
Kristen Butler's hot hitting streak continued Thursday as her first-inning, 2-run homer turned out to be the game winner for the host Bandits, who taking the opener of the series against the Pennsylvania Rebellion 2-1.
Despite the first-inning home run, the game turned out to be a pitchers duel between starters Monica Abbott and the Rebellion's Sarah Pauly.
The Rebellion had an opportunity to open the scoring first as it loaded the bases in the top of the first, but the Bandits were able to get out of the jam.
Butler made the Bandits pay in the bottom half with her 2-run shot, her second in as many games.
The Rebellion's only run came in the third inning off a Bianca Mejia RBI that scored Brittney Lindley, who had tripled, cutting the lead in half. But that was the only offense either team would muster.
Abbott picked up her fourth win of the season, holding the Rebellion to just 2 hits while striking out nine in her complete-game outing.
Pauly was equally as impressive despite suffering the loss, giving up just 3 runs on 4 hits, including 4 strikeouts.