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The Chicago Bandits welcomed the NY/NJ Comets to the Ballpark at Rosemont for the first time in franchise history after the Comets inherited all rights to the Carolina Diamond's players after folding last season. The Comets took game one of the four-game series, 5-3, breaking their eight game losing streak, while handing the Bandits just their fourth loss of the season.
Mel Dumezich (1-2, 2.14 ERA) made her third start in the circle for the Bandits, giving up five runs off five hits and striking out four in three and third innings pitched. Angel Bunner (1-3, 5.45 ERA) earned her first win of the season, giving up three runs off six hits and striking out three.
The Comets got off to a fast start, scoring a run in the first after drawing a leadoff walk to open the game. NY/NJ took advantage of the runner as Bianca Mejia's single scored the first run and giving the Comets the momentum for the remainder of the game.
NY/NJ tacked on two more runs in the third after Samie Garcia opened the inning with a single and Angie Quiocho's homerun gave the Comets a 3-0 advantage. Despite a single and steal from Wiggins, the Bandits continued to be held scoreless through the third, trailing 3-0.
The Comets plated two more runs in the fourth after back-to-back singles and back-to-back walks scored a run, increasing the lead to 4-0. Michelle Gascoigne entered the game to pitch for the Bandits with one out in the inning and the bases loaded. Mejia's pop up allowed another runner to tag up and score, but the Bandits turned a double play to end the inning down 5-0.
The Bandits showed a little life in the fifth, plating three runs off three hits. Kimi Pohlman singled and Vicky Galindo was hit by pitch to put a pair of runners on for Brittany Cervantes whose single to right scored both runners. Cervantes was brought home off Kristen Butler's single as the Bandits trailed 5-3.
The Comets loaded the bases in the sixth but a hit back to Gascoigne was turned into a double play to end the inning and keep the Bandits within two runs.
Despite a 1-2-3 seventh inning by the Bandits, the Comets struck right back with defense of their own and did not allow a hit in the bottom of the seventh. The game ended with a final score of 5-3.
The second game of the series is tomorrow, Thursday, July 4 at the Ballpark at Rosemont. First pitch is set for 2:05 P.M.
