Abbott records 16 strikeouts as Chicago Bandits shut out Rebellion
The Bandits received timely hitting and a complete-game shutout from their ace Monica Abbott to defeat the Rebellion 1-0 and the opportunity for a third series sweep of Pennsylvania this season.
Abbott (5-1) was stellar in the circle, allowing just 2 hits with 16 strikeouts in a game that was delayed 52 minutes due to rain in the top of the seventh.
"I thought she was incredible," Emily Allard said of Abbott's outing. "The one thing that I always give Monie credit for is she competes. Obviously she is a very powerful pitcher, but when you have somebody who gets on the mound and just puts her head down and goes to work, as a defense that's just fun to play behind."
Abbott's counterpart, Haylie Wagner, matched her dominance with 5 hits allowed and 1 earned run in her first career NPF start.
Kristyn Sandberg looked to have given the Rebellion an early 1-0 lead in the second with a long fly ball that bounced off the top of the centerfield fence. The ball bounced into play to Allard, which gave Sandberg a triple. Abbott struck out the next 2 batters to get out of harms way.
Tammy Williams (2-3, RBI) singled in the bottom of the sixth to bat in Allard (1-3) and give the Bandits a 1-0 lead. Allard singled, stole second and advanced to third on an Amber Patton fielder's choice before coming around to score.
"I think in a situation like that, especially in a close game 0-0 all the way through, momentum is everything, and my job in that situation is to create some sort of momentum," Allard said of her game-winning run. "I knew in my mind if I could get on base that the rest of the pieces would fall together."
In the top of the seventh, Abbott struck out Sandberg to start the inning before giving up a single to Sarah Prezioso and a walk to pinch hitter Whitney Arion before a rain delay was called. After the delay, Abbott regrouped and struck out the next 2 batters for her fifth win of the season.
"She stayed in the dugout and kept her focus and we came back as a team," Allard said.
The Bandits look for their third series sweep of the Pennsylvania Rebellion this season at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.