Bandits come from behind to defeat Rebellion

ROSEMONT - The Chicago Bandits came up with a 4-run fifth inning rally to defeat the Rebellion 6-3 in a partial doubleheader Sunday. Brittany Cervantes hit the game-winning home run, her sixth of the season, to the flagpoles in center to score Amber Patton and Tammy Williams to conclude the Bandits comeback victory.

"I actually had never seen that pitcher before," Cervantes (1-2, 3 RBI) said of her home run off Emily Weiman.

A.J. Andrews started the "Fifth Inning Bandit Inning" rally with a walk and stole second to get into scoring position. Patton then singled to move Andrews to third. Williams (1-3, RBI) tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI single.

"I swear every time we do it, it works," Cervantes said. "We needed a rally, we needed to help out our pitcher and just get some offense going. Tammy came up with that clutch hit to tie the game up. Once we got that one hit we are able to rally with that."

Sara Moulton (4 Hs, 2 Ks, 3 ER) started for the Bandits but was relieved by Lacey Waldrop in the third. Emma Johnson took the circle for the Rebellion.

Danielle Zymkowitz (2-3, 2 RBI) blasted her first home run of the season to right center in the bottom of the second to give the Bandits an early 1-0.

Alisa Goler tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth with a solo shot of her own. Moulton then walked Alexa Peterson and gave up back-to-back hits to Kristyn Sandberg and Sarah Prezioso. Prezioso doubled in Peterson to force a pitching change with one out. Waldrop came on to relieve Moulton and gave up an RBI double to Courtney Senas, but was bailed out of the inning by a diving catch double play by Patton. Patton charged the popped up bunt by Samie Garcia and quickly threw to Williams at third to double up Senas.

Zymkowitz cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth with a single to center to score Patton, who led off the inning with a walk.

Waldrop picked up the win, allowing 2 hits with 3 strikeouts in 3.2 innings of relief.

"They all complement each other, so I think that works in our favor," Cervantes said about the pitching staff. "I just love their mentality. They always want the ball."

The Bandits and Rebellion return to action at 7:05 p.m. Monday.