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Bandits Mon Aug 10 2009
Errors Lock Up Bandits
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(Ed. Note: Even the return of the team's and sports' biggest star, pitcher Jenny Finch, couldn't keep the Chicago Bandits from dropping their second game in a row to the Akron Racers over the weekend in women's professional fastpitch softball action. Bandits' media relations chief Andrew Phillips gives us the lowdown.)
Costly errors foiled the Bandits for the second day in a row as the Akron Racers (26-14) were able to take down the Bandits (23-11) by a score of 4-0 in the Sunday afternoon battle.
Jennie Finch (5-2) was solid in the circle for the Bandits, but defensive mishaps cost Chicago a win as runners came around to score in the sixth and clinch the victory.
With Stacy May on first in the bottom of the third, Bandits' rookie Amber Patton dropped a timely bunt to move May around to third. Patton, who reached on an error, moved to second one pitch later with a stolen base.
After May was caught in a run down between third and home on a missed suicide squeeze bunt by Jennie Finch, Patton moved to third with two down. Jamee Juarez buckled down in the circle to end the threat by striking out Finch for the final out of the third.
Crystl Bustos placed the Racers firmly on the board in the top of the fourth when she blasted a solo home run off Chicago's Finch, over the left field fence for the 1-0 lead.
With two on and two down in the bottom of the fourth the Bandits threatened with Cheyenne Jenks at the plate. After battling off numerous pitches to a 3-2 count, Akron's Kate Robinson sent Jenks back to the dugout swinging on a drop third strike, keeping the score at 1-0 in favor of the Racers.
Akron plated another run in the top of the sixth when Jackie Pasquerella came around to score after Jenny Topping blasted the ball to second base. The ball, misplayed by Fox at second, carried into right field and allowed Topping to reach second on the play, putting Akron up 2-0.
Two batters later, Akron plated two more runs when Fox misplayed another ball at second base, allowing two more to score and put the Racers up 4-0.
Robinson held tough in the circle to get the save for the Racers as she held the Bandits to no runs the remainder of the way through.
On Saturday, a costly error - the final out of the top of the ninth inning was dropped in left field by Bandits' centerfielder Nicole Trimboli - would end Chicago's night when the very next batter Jenny Topping slammed the go ahead run to give the Racers (25-14) the 2-0 lead.
Akron would add one more on a solo home run and claim the 3-0 victory over the Bandits in extra innings.
With two on and two down in the bottom of the first, Chicago (23-10) centerfielder Trimboli stepped in to square off with Akron's Brittany Weil. After working the count full, Trimboli watched as ball four soared high to earn the free pass.
Bases were juiced for Bandits second baseman Kristie Fox, but the Bandits could not produce as Fox ended the inning with a ground out to first.
In the bottom of the second with Jamie Schloredt on first, Bandits short stop Laura Harms blasted a pitch to shallow centerfield. Akron's Lisa Modglin would have none of it, catching the out and then firing it to first to double up Schloredt for a double play.
Weil held tough in the bottom of the third when the Bandits threatened with Stacy May on third and two down. Weil force Jennie Finch to strike out swinging for the final out of the inning.
With two on and two down in the top of the fourth, Bandits centerfielder Trimboli made a run-saving catch to end the inning when she robbed Akron's Jamee Juarez with a leaping grab towards the outfield fence.
Bandits' pitcher Eileen Canney (pictured) continued her hot streak in the circle through five innings of work by only allowing one hit through the first five. In the sixth, Canney gave up just her second hit of the game to Akron's Modglin after she dropped a single in down the right side line.
Modglin advanced to third two outs later, but could not come around to score as Canney forced Akron's Crystl Bustos to pop out down the left field line.
The pitcher's duel between Canney and Weil continued into the seventh inning, with both Akron and Chicago getting chances to capitalize. Unfortunately, both pitchers held tight as neither team could score through the seventh.
With two down in the bottom of the eighth, Chicago's Folden blasted a pitch deep to left center field on a rope. Akron's Modglin was on her horse though as she robbed Folden for the final out.
The Racers threatened in the top of the ninth when Bustos stepped in to bat with Pasquerrella on second. Bustos would return to the dugout for out number two as Canney forced a pop up.
Two pitches later and with Pasquerrella now on third, Akron's Topping blasted the 1-1 pitch deep to left field and off the scoreboard for the go ahead two-run home run, putting the Racers up 2-0.
Then, on the very next pitch, Juarez struck, putting the Racers up 3-0. Radara McHugh claimed the victory in the circle for the Racers after throwing 1.3 innings. Canney (9-3) finished with 9 innings pitched, four hits and seven strikeouts in the effort.
The Bandits take on the Rockford Thunder for a four-game series beginning Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Judson University in Elgin. It's their final series of the season before the start of the NPF playoffs.
