::: Breaking News ::: Bandits ink Gina Oaks

Familiar face steps back into the circle for the Chicago Bandits

Bandits ink pitcher Gina Oaks for remainder of 2009 season

Elgin, Ill – You might be able to recognize the newest addition to the Bandits roster because she has already spent ample time sporting a Chicago uniform in the past. The Chicago Bandits have inked former Bandits’ pitcher Gina Oaks to a contract for the remainder of the 2009 season – giving an already potent team more depth in the pitcher’s circle.

Oaks spent 2008 pitching in Japan as part of their professional softball league.

Oaks was a solid contender with the Bandits for three seasons (’05, ’06 and ’07) as she donned the orange and black. She played her first season in the National Professional Fastpitch league (NPF) as a member of the New York/New Jersey Juggernauts in 2005.

Versatility is the name of her game as Oaks made her presence known in both the pitching circle and the batter’s box, garnering 2004 and 2005 NPF All-Star honors.

In 2004, she sustained a 1.39 ERA in 131.2 innings pitched and 116 strikeouts with a 12-8 record. On the other end of the spectrum, Oaks earned a .190 batting average with 16 runs, 29 hits, 10 RBI, five doubles, one triple and one homerun.

Oaks made the transition to Chicago in 2005 and bolstered the best pitching rotation of the NPF behind Lauren Bay and Jennie Finch. Oaks held her own pitching a 2.44 ERA in 17.2 innings with 12 strikeouts. With the stick, she maintained a .187 average with 12 runs, 17 hits, 11 RBIs, six doubles and 11 walks.

The right handed hurler saw an increase in playing time for the 2006 season due to the departure of Lauren Bay and prior Team USA commitments of Jennie Finch.

Oaks’ record was 9-4 with a 1.82 ERA in 77 innings. She proved she could go the distance pitching five complete games, second only to Bandits’ pitcher Amy Harre’s seven. Oaks’ batted .194 with seven runs, 12 hits, five RBIs, two doubles and 10 walks.

The 2007 season marked Oaks’ best year in the batter’s box as she earned a .203 batting average with six runs, 13 hits, five RBIs, two doubles and ten walks. Oaks pitched her way to a 4-5 record with 36 strikeouts in 55 innings.

If you would like to learn more about the Bandits players or ticket options then please visit www.chicagobandits.com or call 877-722-6348.