Chicago Bandits Take the First Game of the 2012 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Championship

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

CHICAGO BANDITS TAKE THE FIRST GAME OF THE 2012 NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH (NPF) CHAMPIONSHIP

 Chicago Bandits take series lead (1-0) over Carolina Diamonds 

SCORES: Bandits 11, Diamonds 1 RECORDS: Bandits (1-0), Diamonds (0-1)

 ROSEMONT, Ill. – In the first ever Championship Series to be played in the Ballpark at Rosemont the number two seed, Chicago Bandits, faced off against the number three seed, Carolina Diamonds. The Bandits sent 2012 Pitcher of the Year, Monica Abbott (1-0) to the circle, as they took a 1-0 series lead in the best of three series which continues tomorrow night at 8:30 CST. 

Katie Burkhart (0-1) got the call for the Diamonds who took an early 1-0 lead off a solo home run by Bianca Mejia in the top of the second inning, but the Bandits would tie it up in the bottom of the inning off a Diamonds error allowing Patton to cross home plate.

Alisa Goler extended the lead as the Bandits went up 2-1 in the third after back to back doubles by her and Megan Wiggins. A Kristen Butler home run would give them a 4-1 lead heading into the fourth inning. 

A pitching change in the fifth brought Morgan Melloh into the circle for the Diamonds and the Bandits responded with three straight hits, giving themselves a 7-1 lead. With the bases loaded, Whitney Larsen’s blooper into right field made it 9-1, Bandits. Goler followed up with a double to center field giving the Bandits an 11-1 lead. 

The Bandits brought in pitching duo, Nikki Nemitz and Chanda Bell to close out the final two innings of the game giving the Bandits the victory and an 1-0 series lead over the Diamonds. 

Game two between the Chicago Bandits and Carolina Diamonds will take place tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. The second game of the series between USSSA FL Pride and Akron Racers will be this evening at 8:30 p.m.

National Pro Fastpitch Championship Schedule:

Thursday, August 23

Game 1: 6 p.m. (#2 Chicago Bandits vs. #3 Carolina Diamonds)

Game 2: 8:30 p.m. (#1 USSSA Pride vs. #4 Akron Racers)

Friday, August 24

Game 3: 6 p.m. (#1 USSSA Pride vs. #4 Akron Racers)

Game 4: 8:30 p.m. (#2 Chicago Bandits vs. #3 Carolina Diamonds)

Saturday, August 25**

Game 5: 11 a.m. (#1 USSSA Pride vs. #4 Akron Racers)

Game 6: 1:30 p.m. (#2 Chicago Bandits” vs. #3 Carolina Diamonds)

**Please note: these games may not be necessary depending on the outcome of games on the first two days. If there will only be one game, it will be at 11 a.m.

Game 7: 7 p.m. Championship Final game

Sunday, August 26

Game 8: 2:30 p.m. Championship Game Final

Game 9: 6:00 p.m. “If Necessary” Championship Game Final (If Game 9 is played, admission is FREE)

ESPN will carry the Final Series of the 2012 NPF Championship Series on Sunday, August 26. Game 2 of the Final Series will be shown live on ESPN3 beginning at 3:30p.m. EST with Game 3 airing on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. EST. In the event that Game 2 is the final game in the best of three format that begins Saturday night, Game 2 can be seen at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN2.

Tickets for the 2012 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Championship Series can be purchased in through the NPF and team websites, or via phone. Tickets also can be purchased on the day of the game at the stadium box office, pending availability. Prices range from $5 - $15. The phone number for tickets is 615-232-2900 and the website is www.profastpitch.com.

For more information about the NPF Tournament, visit www.profastpitch.com.

About National Pro Fastpitch: National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Softball
• Events
• National Pro Fastpitch

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View stephaniemp's Full Profile