Series sweep for Bandits
Nikki Nemitz started in the circle for the Bandits on Sunday and guided the team to a 9-5 victory to complete the series sweep for the first time this season. The win was Nemitz’s second of the season.
The Bandits (21-6) got off to another quick start with the offense exploding for 5 hits and 7 runs in the second inning. Brittany Cervantes started things off getting on base with her bunt and Kimi Pohlman followed up with a single.
Vicky Galindo then delivered a triple, allowing Cervantes and Pohlman to score. Megan Wiggins’ well-placed bunt then allowed her to get on base and also scored Galindo to give the Bandits a 3-0 lead.
Amber Patton and Alisa Goler drew walks to load the bases before Kristen Butler delivered a grand slam to give the Bandits a 7-0 lead.
The Racers made a pitching change after the grand slam, substituting Rachele Fico for starting pitcher Brittany Mack.
The Racers responded in the third inning, cutting the Bandits’ lead to 7-3. Aja Paculba singled and then scored off Brianna Turang’s hit and a fielding error by the Bandits.
Charlotte Morgan kept things rolling with a double, allowing Turang to score. Taylor Schlopy was then walked and scored on a fielder’s choice from Kaylyn Castillo’s infield hit.
The Bandits added a run to their lead in the third inning. Pohlman had a leadoff triple and scored on Jenna Grim’s RBI double down the left-field line to make it 8-3.
The Racers countered again the fifth inning. Schlopy got on base with a bunt and then stole second. She was able to score off Morgan’s RBI single, cutting the Bandits’ lead to 8-4. Grim caught Kaylyn Castillo stealing to pick up a big out in the inning.
Chicago made a pitching change in the fifth inning, sending Mel Dumezich in for Nemitz to close out the game.
The Bandits extended their lead in the sixth inning. Goler doubled and Danielle Zymkowitz was sent in to pinch run. Butler was walked and Tammy Williams was able to reach base on a fielding error to load the bases again. Cervantes then hit a sacrifice fly to make it 9-4.
The sixth inning was interrupted with a lightning delay for the third straight game. Play resumed with Pohlman up to bat and Eri Yamada on second base (running for Butler) and Williams on first. However, the Bandits failed to convert any runs after the delay.
The Racers tried to rally in the seventh after Ayumi Karino hit a leadoff double. She was able to score off Turang’s fielder’s choice, but it wasn’t enough to challenge the Bandits lead as Chicago took game four 9-5.
After this weekend’s sweep the Bandits remain securely in first place. They look to continue their winning streak Wednesday as they begin a four-game home series against the NY/NJ Comets.