Chicago Bandits vs Cleveland Comets | NPF - Game 1 - Jun 6, 2019 at 6:50 PM CDT
ROSEMONT, III. – The Chicago Bandits started the season off strong with a 2–0 victory over the Cleveland Comets on Thursday (Jun. 6).
Lauren Lappin claimed her first win as head coach in tonight’s matchup. The former U.S. Olympian served as an assistant coach under Stacey Nuveman Deniz during the 2018 season. Lappin was named head coach back in August.
“Feels really good to get our first win,” Lappin said. “Our pitchers were fantastic tonight. O’Toole set our tempo from the beginning and our offense had competitive at-bats throughout the game. Couldn’t be more proud that my first win as the head coach is for the Bandits organization.”
Danielle O’Toole (1-0) was named ‘Player of the Game’ as she pitched five scoreless innings giving up only three hits. O’Toole also struck out 6 batters with no walks. Ally Carda came in at the top of the 6thinning to shut out the Comets.
The game remained scoreless going into the fifth inning until DJ Sanders got on base from an error at shortstop. Gwen Svekis quickly advanced Sanders after getting hit by a pitch which put batters on first and second. Bandits finally placed a run on the board after Emily Crane’s base hit to right field following an RBI by Brenna Moss that brought home pinch-runner, Katie Reed. The Comets shortly closed the inning at two runs.
Both the Bandits and Comets had three quick outs in the 6th inning. Bandits newcomer Abbey Cheek made her debut with a base hit to left field putting in the only hit from both teams in the 7th inning.
The Bandits came out on top and shut out the Comets 2-0. The Black and Orange will return to Parkway Bank Sports Complex for the rest of the weekend (June 7-9) to continue the series against the Comets. Friday night’s game is set to start at 7:35 p.m.
ABOUT CHICAGO BANDITS
Since 2005, the Chicago Bandits have been members of the National Pro Fastpitch league. Entering their 15th season as a franchise, the Bandits have provided the Chicago area with high-level softball talent and entertainment en route to capturing six regular-season titles and four Cowles Cup championships, the most recent coming during the 2016 campaign. Located in Rosemont, the Bandits play at Parkway Bank Sports Complex, one of the premier softball facilities in the nation. Parkway Bank Sports Complex is the only stadium in the country built exclusively for a women’s professional sports team. The Bandits provide an opportunity for female fastpitch softball players to further their careers at the professional level and have included legendary figures such as Jennie Finch, Tammy Williams and Stacy May-Johnson.