Pride act Osterman shuts down Bandits 3-2

Aside from a 2-run line shot to the right field bleachers off the bat of Brittany Cervantes, USSSA Pride ace Cat Osterman was unhittable Tuesday night. Osterman, in her eighth year in the National Pro Fastpitch league, tossed a complete game 1-hitter against the Bandits and fanned 10 batters.

The dinger by Cervantes (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) was the only offense the Bandits would muster all night as the Pride took game two 3-2 and guaranteed themselves no less than a series split.

"We know (Osterman) is a phenomenal pitcher," Cervantes said. "We're going to face her later (in the season) so the earlier we can get to her the more we feel comfortable in the long run."

The Pride drew first blood as they got to Bandits starter Lacey Waldrop in the opening inning. After a leadoff walk to Natasha Watley (1-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R), former Bandit Megan Wiggins (3-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI) sprayed one to the right-center gap for an RBI-triple. Just like that, the Pride took an early advantage. Bridgette Del Ponte shot an RBI-single to left later in the inning to make it 2-0.

Cervantes' 2-run shot in the fourth on a screwball that tailed outside tied the game. She said she was just lucky to even make contact against Osterman.

"The fact that I can make contact against (Osterman) is a statement in and of itself," Cervantes said.

However, the Pride responded in the fifth on a rally again started via a leadoff walk to Watley. She came around to score on a one-out single up the middle by Wiggins.

That was all the support that Osterman needed as she went the distance and did not allow a hit the rest of the way. She overmatched some of the Bandits younger hitters and kept them off-balance with a nice mix of pitches. Lacey Waldrop pitched well for the Bandits, but was settled with the loss and fell to 1-2 on the season. Osterman improved to 5-1 on the season.

The Bandits will try to salvage the series by winning the third and fourth games to earn a split. Game 3 between the softball rivals is at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.

"We'll get it together," Cervantes said. "I'm not worried at all."