Bandits close out regular season with loss

Brenna Moss reached a milestone in the Chicago Bandits' 10-5 loss against the USSSA Pride to close the regular season Sunday night at Parkway Bank Sports Complex. The veteran left fielder recorded her 65th base knock of the campaign to tie the NPF single-season hits record.

Moss' infield single in the sixth, her third of the night, placed her in the history books alongside former Rockford/Texas Thunder standout Kristen Zaleski, who finished the 2005 season with 65 hits.

However, the Bandits could not capitalize upon Moss' stellar night at the plate. USSSA used a 15-hit attack to claim the regular season finale.

Pride left fielder Megan Wiggins, later named the Vaultz Lock It Up! Player of the Game, launched a towering two-run blast in the fifth to put the game out of reach at 7-2.

Bandits rookie shortstop DJ Sanders responded with a two-run shot of her own in the bottom half of the frame, but USSSA put up three runs of their own in the sixth, which included a two-RBI single from Wiggins. Sanders' home run marked her sixth in the past eight games. She also contributed a double and tallied three runs in the ballgame.

Right-hander Lacey Waldrop (L, 4-1) suffered her the her first loss of the season in a starting role after the veteran surrendered six runs in 1.1 innings of work. First-year southpaw Paige Lowary and right-hander Ally Carda supplied impressive outings in relief. The duo combined to allow just a single hit while striking out three batters in 2.2 innings.

USSSA starter Delanie Gourley (W, 7-1) collected the win after the former Florida standout allowed two runs over four frames. Her effort in the circle was matched by four-RBI performance from both Wiggins and catcher Chelsea Goodacre.

The Bandits and Pride will renew their rivalry in the NPF Championship Series, which is set to begin Thursday at Parkway Bank Sports Complex. First pitch in Game 1 is set for 7 p.m. All games in the best-of-five battle for the Cowles Cup will be broadcast via ESPN+.