Bandits split doubleheader
A short rain delay seemed to spark the Bandits offense, which poured in 7 runs in the sixth inning of a Wednesday afternoon game, the first of a doubleheader, against the Beijing Shougang Eagles. The Bandits came out on top 9-2 after the offensive onslaught late in the game.
Beijing's Nancy Bowling kept the Bandits honest during the first few innings, allowing just a pair of walks through two frames. Bowling, who entered the contest with an 8.37 ERA, lasted into the sixth in a bid for her first career win.
Brenna Moss sparked the offense, however, in the third, as the third-year outfielder collected a single through the right side. It marked her 10th consecutive game with a base hit. Moss later came around to score when Emily Carosone reached on an error.
Rookie catcher Sahvanna Jaquish dumped a double into the left-center gap to plate the go-ahead run and the Bandits had no problems keeping their lead from that point.
Holding a one-run advantage, the Bandits broke it open in the sixth when six of the first seven batters hit safely. A two-run single off the bat of rookie shortstop Abby Ramirez provided starting pitcher Haylie Wagner with a comfortable lead as the southpaw delivered a quality start for her team-leading 11th win of the season.
With the win, the Bandits upped their 2017 record against the Eagles to a spotless 9-0, earning a season sweep against Beijing in its inaugural year as a member of the NPF.
In the second game, Scrap Yard's Monica Abbott tossed a no-hitter and the Dawgs won 5-0 over the Bandits.
It marked the first no-hitter for the flame-throwing southpaw since Aug. 3, 2015 when she accomplished the feat against the Pennsylvania Rebellion as a member of the Bandits.
Abbott dominated in the circle for Scrap Yard, holding the Bandits off the basepaths let alone for an early walk to Brenna Moss and a hit by pitch to Emily Carosone. She struck out 18 en route to her 16th win of the 2017 campaign.
"I think our effort just has to look a little different," Bandits head coach Sharonda McDonald said.
Chicago starter Lacey Waldrop battled through the first two innings, allowing a pair of runs (one earned). However, a leadoff home run from former Bandit first baseman Brittany Cervantes in the third extended Scrap Yard's lead to 3-0.
Second-year right-hander Shelby Turnier managed to keep the Bandits within striking distance, delivering five innings of work out of the bullpen. Turnier surrendered just two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out four.
"It's just about hitting corners and feeding the defense," Turnier said. "You're not going to go out there and strike every person out, so just letting the defense play (is key). They played well behind me."