The tension was thick in the ballpark as Bandits pitcher Kristina Thorson stepped into the circle to face USSSA Pride pinch hitter Charlotte Morgan with two outs and a runner on third in the bottom of the seventh inning. Down by just one run, Morgan ripped a hard line drive down the third baseline as Bandits third baseman Stacy May threw her glove up to snag the ball, securing the 5-4 win for the Bandits.
The USSSA Florida Pride (1-2) threatened a 3-1 lead by the Bandits (2-1) in the second inning with a hit to left field by Natasha Watley, but Vicky Galindo had great backup in centerfield and threw out Kristen Schnake at home to end the threat.
With a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning Bandits’ pitcher Nikki Nemitz stepped into the circle against Melissa Roth who smacked a two run RBI up the middle tieing the game for the USSSA Pride.
Lucky for the Bandits, Jennie Finch and Samantha Findlay’s bats were hot in the fifth inning. Two doubles scored two more runs for the Bandits, securing a 5-3 lead.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning the score was locked at 5-3. USSSA Pride outfielder Jessica Mendoza singleed up the middle. Kelly Kretschman hit an RBI double, bringing the game to 5-4 with one out.
May’s grab in the seventh ended the game, which brought a huge sigh of relief to the Bandits.
This game brings the series to 2-1 in favor of the Bandits as the two teams head into game four tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 pm Central Time. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
