Chicago Bandits Open Season With 2-0 Win

The Chicago Bandits opened their 2019 National Pro Fastpitch season with a 2-0 win over the visiting Cleveland Comets. Due to a scheduling oddity, the Bandits were technically the visiting team, but either way, the Rosemont crowd went home happy.

The Bandits were coming off another successful season, which saw them make the NPF championship series. Unfortunately, they lost to the USSSA Pride in that series, but that did not diminish an excellent season.

The Bandits come into this season with new head coach, former Olympian and NPF star Lauren Lippen. Last season, Lippen was an assistant under Stacey Nuveman Deniz, who stepped down to become the Special Assistant to GM Toni Calmeyn prior to this season.

With no score through four innings, DJ Sanders reached base on an error to start the fifth inning. Gwen Svekis got hit by a pitch to put runners at second and first. The 2018 NPF Player of the Year Brenna Moss drove in pinchrunner Katie Reed and Emily Crane's hit drove in Svekis to give the Bandits a 2-0 lead. That would be it for scoring, as the Bandits secured their first win and first shutout.

Danielle O'Toole started the game, got the win and was named "Player of the Game." She pitched 5 innings, allowing only 3 hits. Ally Carda relieved her in the 6th and held the Comets hitless in the final 2 innings.

It was especially great to see O'Toole pitch. With Team USA commitments, O'Toole's time with the Bandits has been limited over the last 2 seasons.

The Bandits and Comets play 4 more games through Sunday, including a doubleheader to end this series. I'll be "On the Beat" as usual and I'll be reporting back here.