Bandits open NPF season with win over Philadelphia

The Chicago Bandits opened the National Pro Fastpitch season with a convincing 5-1 victory Wednesday night over the Philadelphia Force at the Judson University Sports Complex in Elgin.

The Bandits, the defendning NPF champions, got on the scoreboard quickly in the first. With two on, Rachel Folden blasted a two-run double to left center to give the Bandits an early lead in the bottom of the first. Three batters later and with two on again in the first Nicole Trimboli sent a hard grounder past the first baseman to score two more runs to make it 4-0 early in the first.

In the top of the third and with one on and no outs, Philadelphia Force shortstop Audrey LaFountain blasted a double over Trimboli'ss head, bringing the score to 4-1 before pitcher Kristina Thorson shut down the Force.

The Bandits got their final run in the bottom of the third when first baseman Samantha Findlay blasted a solo home run over the scoreboard in left field. Olympian Jennie Finch replaced Thorson in the fifth to close out the game.

Folden went 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs and a run for the Bandits, and Stacy May added a 2-for-3 performance with a run. Thorson finished up with 4 innings pitched, 1 strikeout, 2 walks and 1 earned run. Finch pitched 3 innings with 6 strikeouts, 1 walk and no earned runs.

The two teams continue their five-game series at 7:05 p.m. today in Elgin