Entering tonight's game on a three game losing streak, the Bandits looked to return to their winning ways as the ,Carolina Diamonds came to town for their first series in the Ballpark at
Rosemont.
Monica Abbott entered the circle for the Bandits and started them off in the right direction as she struck out the side to start the game. With Angel Bunner pitching for the Diamonds, it looked as if the Bandits would continue the strong start after two walks, but Alisa Goler
grounded out into a double play allowing the Diamonds to hold the
Bandits scoreless going into the second.
It was a pitcher's duel
heading into the third inning, when Shannon Doepking recorded the first
hit of the game for either team but the Bandits remained off the
scoreboard leaving two runners on base.
Abbott showed no signs of
slowing down in the fourth inning as she added two more strikeouts,
bringing her total to nine before GiOnna DiSalvatore grounded out to
Alisa Goler to end the inning.
The Bandits continued to find ways to
get on base as Kristen Butler was walked and Brittany Cervantes hit a
single, but Moses, pinch running for Butler, was left on third and
Cervantes was left on second to end the inning, leaving the game
scoreless going into the fifth.
In the fifth inning, the Diamonds
managed to get their first runner on base as Bianca Mejia was hit by an
Abbott pitch. Despite the setback, Abbott increased her strikeout total
to 12 on the night after striking out Rachel Folden, Amy Hooks and Annie
Lockwood.
Doepking got on base for the second time in the bottom of
the inning as Mejia failed to hold onto the ball. Zymkowitz followed up
with a bunt, but was thrown out as Vangie Galindo, pinch running for
Doepking, advanced to second. Wiggins drilled a hit to center field
attempting to bring in Galindo, but she was thrown out at the plate. The
Diamonds would end the inning with no damage done.
The Bandits opened
up the game in the bottom of the sixth as Butler hit a solo home run to
give the Bandits a 1-0 lead. Cervantes followed up with a double that
she hit deep to right field. Tammy Williams then came up and hit a shot
to center field allowing Cervantes to score for the 2-0 lead before
advancing to second on the throw. Amanda Williams brought home Tammy to
increase the lead to three.
With two outs and a 3-0 lead, the Bandits
weren't done as Doepking hit a solo home run, the second of the inning,
for a 4-0 lead before the Diamonds were able to get themselves out of
the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Abbott added one more strikeout
to end the night with a very fitting total of 14, completing her third
no-hitter of the season.
Abbott's no-hitter and the teams 16th win of
the season were just what they were looking for as they turned their
streak around.
The Bandits and Diamonds return to action tomorrow
night at 7:35 p.m. for game two of the series.
To purchase tickets for
the remaining games of the series, contact the box office at
877-722-6348 or by visiting www.chicagobandits.com [2].
