Bandits take two from Thunder in double header

ROSCOE, Ill. – The Chicago Bandits looked like a first-place team in Friday’s doubleheader sweep as they knocked off the Thunder by final scores of 8-4 and 5-0 in game one and two.

In game one of the doubleheader the Bandits (19-4) used an 11-hit attack to score eight runs. The Bandits were led by a two-hit, three RBI game from 2008 rookie of the year Rachel Folden. Folden’s three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning provided the insurance Chicago would need to win.

A five-hit first inning gave the Bandits an early 3-0 lead. Rockford (9-10) added a run of its own in the first, but the offense couldn’t put together any more until the fifth inning when they added two more runs. Chelsea Spencer added a solo homerun in the seventh inning to end the scoring in the game at 8-4.

Samantha Sheeley fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss. She allowed all eight Bandits runs in the game in five innings of work. Brandice Balschmiter (2-0) pitched the first six innings for Chicago to record the win.

Chicago also had two-hit games from Stacy May, Nicole Trimboli and rookie Amber Patton in the game one to lead the offense. Amanda Williams led the way for Rockford at the plate with three hits and Jenna Rhodes collected two more.

In game two the Bandits took advantage of Megan Brown’s wildness in the circle. Chicago scored three of its five runs courtesy of walks or hit batters by Brown.

Brown, who was making just her second start of the season, allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings of work. She gave up six hits, walked four and hit two more during her time in the circle. Brown was relieved by Cassidy Scoggins who has now worked in all four games of the series and has been very effective out of the bullpen. So far in the series, Scoggins has allowed just one run in 9 1/3 innings of work in the inning.

The big inning of game two for Chicago was the fifth when they plated four of their five runs with the big hit being a two-run double by Trimboli. Trimboli and Folden each had two more hits in game two for the Bandits.

Rockford managed just four singles, two by Spencer, in the game off of Bandits starter Kristina Thorson. Thorson went the distance for Chicago to raise her season record to 5-3.

The series finale with Chicago is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Thunder Park which is one hour later than originally scheduled. Allison Kime will be in the circle on Saturday night to close out the series for Rockford, and recently resigned Bandits’ pitcher Gina Oaks may step into the circle for the Bandits.