Bandits power past Akron, 6-2

Chicago Bandits rookie catcher Rachel Folden kept her bat hot, launching a solo shot off the scoreboard in left field, giving the Bandits a comfortable lead as they rolled to a 6-2 victory Saturday night over the Akron Racers in Elgin.

The blast was Folden's second homer in two nights, and it stakes the Bandits a 3-1 lead in the third.

"I'm starting to feel real comfortable at the plate, which is a good thing, and it's early, but it's just a matter of keeping the mindset when runners get on base," said Folden. "Hitting is contagious; I don't care what anybody else says."

With rain interrupting much of the first inning, the Bandits (3-3) struck early, putting two runs on the board to jump ahead of Akron in game two of four-game series.

After giving up a solo home run in the second, Bandits pitcher Jessica Sallinger buckled down after that, earning the complete game victory while throwing 7 innings with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks.