Bandits Avoid Late Inning Pride Rally

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Bandits offense provided plenty of early fireworks with a trio of three-run home runs in tonight’s game to defeat the Pride for the third straight time this series and sixth time this season.

Kristen Butler started the home run rampage in the bottom of the first, hitting a three-run shot off the scoreboard in right center field.  Just an inning later, it was Megan Wiggins turn as she hit the second three-run dinger of the game, giving the Bandits an early 6-0 lead.

Meagan Denny-White made her second start on the mound for the Bandits and was able to hold the Pride scoreless through the first two innings.  The Pride put their first run on the board in the top of the third after Jamee Juarez was able to score on a passed ball.

Wiggins blasted her second three-run homer of the game in the bottom of the third giving the Bandits a 9-1 advantage.

In the top of the fourth, Kelly Kretschman hit a stand up double with runners on first and second making the game 9-3.  Jessica Mendoza started a small rally in the sixth for the Pride after she doubled, Kretschman drew a walk, and the runners were brought in off a Natasha Watley single up the middle.

The Bandits bats were still hot in the sixth as Alisa Goler started off the inning with a double to left center.  Whitney Larsen was then walked, putting runners at first and second and Goler was knocked in off Nikki Nemitz’s double to give the Bandits a 10-5 edge.

Ashley Charters and Andrea Duran both hit solo homeruns in the top of the seventh, however Denny-White was able to retire the next two batters and the Bandits held on to win the game 10-7.

The Bandits and Pride will play the fourth and final game of the series tomorrow, July 1 with first pitch at 5:35 CDT.  Tickets for that game are now on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 877-722-6348.

NOTES:

• Attendance for the game was 929.
• Megan Wiggins hit two three-run homeruns, she now has three on the year.
• Kristen Butler hit her sixth homerun of the year.

STATS:

Meagan Denny-White (CHI): 7.0IP, 9H, 7R, 7K, 2BB

Sarah Pauley (USSSA): 1.1IP, 4H, 6R, 1K, 2BB

Danielle Lawrie (USSSA): 4.2IP, 5H, 4R, 6K, 3BB

Megan Wiggins (CHI): 2-3, 2 HR, 6RBI

Kristen Butler (CHI): 1-3, HR, 3RBI

About USSSA Florida Pride:

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About NPF:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About USSSA:

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!