Bandits pitchers struggled tonight against the Florida Pride bats. The Bandits cycled through three pitchers for the night with 6 runs were scored in the second and fourth innings. Eileen Canney started the night and was relieved by Jessica Sallinger in the middle of the second inning after loading the bases with two walks and a hit.
Rookie Nikki Nemitz debuted with the Bandits when she was called in to relieve Sallinger in the third inning. Sallinger loaded the bases with a hit by Megan Willis, a throwing error by Sallinger on a routine grounder, and a walk for Caitlin Lowe. Sallinger then struggled with Melissa Roth, issuing a walk, which brought in Caitlin Lowe. Nemitz took control of the inning with back to back strikeouts and an infield fly, leaving three runners stranded for the Pride.
The Pride’s offense dominated the fourth inning yet again, repeating 2nd inning with 6 runs being scored on the Bandits.
It was not until the 6th inning that the Bandits’ offense really got going. With two out in the top of the 6th, Jennie Finch stepped up to the plate and laced one over Caitlin Lowe’s head in center field. Left fielder Rachel Mitchell followed with a walk and rookie Angela Findlay recorded her first home run in the NPF with a three run shot over the left center field wall. Nemitz followed her team mates with a line drive over the head of short stop Kristin Schnake, and Emily Friedman moved Nemitz to second with a hard grounder up the middle. Amberly Waits grounded out to Schnake to end the inning.
Unfortunately Nemitz could not hold off the Pride in the bottom half of the 6th when Kelly Kretschman recorded her first home run of the season, putting the Pride up 16-3.
The Bandits were unable to battle back from such a deep deficit in the seventh and the final score was 16-3.
