Congrats to the Rockford Thunder

August 23, 2009 - AKRON, Ohio - The Rockford Thunder captured their first Cowles Cup at Firestone Stadium on Sunday afternoon crowning them the 2009 NPF champions as they defeated the USSSA Pride 2-0 in the final game of the season. Rockford climbed back from a 1-0 deficit and near elimination to win both of their series on the weekend and become champions.

Cat Osterman led the way with her second complete game shut out of the day only allowing the Pride to have one single and a walk on the day. Between the two games on Sunday, Osterman struck out an amazing 26 batters and only gave up four hits. For the tournament, Osterman struck out 50 batters in 31 innings in five starts, pitching 31 of her team's 41 innings.

The only player to get on for the Pride in game three was Oli Keohohou who drew a walk and hit an infield single that bounced off of Osterman's glove in the fifth inning.

The Thunder picked up enough offense for Osterman against tough pitching by Sarah Pauly and Monica Abbott. Leadoff hitter Shanel Scott got Rockford going right away with a hit to left field jsut past a diving Kristin Schnake. Scott would eventually score on a sacrifice bunt by Lyndsey Angus to give Rockford a 1-0 lead. For good measure, Chelsea Spencer added another run when she blasted a towering shot that soared over the center field fence for a solo home run.

The home run would be the last pitch Pauly threw as the Pride turned to Abbott, who shut down Rockford's offense the rest of the way. Abbott gave up a single to the first hitter she faced, but then retired 12 of the next 13 hitters to close out the game. Even though Abbott kept the Pride close, Osterman wouldn't allow the Pride offense an opportunity to get back in the game.

Following the game Osterman was announced as the MVP of the NPF Championship weekend after picking up all of her team's victories. The Thunder ace allowed only gave up an astonishing two runs, one earned, in her five starts of the tournament.

Where in the Burbs is Big South -- August 3

Bandits Nation, now is the time to raise your voices and get ready for the playoffs! We have 2 series left before we go to Akron and defend our Championship.
The Akron Racers are in town August 5-9 and hten we close with Rockford Thunder. If you don't have tickets yet call me or call the Bandits office at 877-7BANDIT so you don't miss out on this opportunity to see the Racers.
I met with coaches, parents and players from the Starke County softball team on August 1st. These players are definitley an exciting group of girls who love their softball and made sure I knew who their favorite player was. I'm looking forward to talking with all of them again, and hopefully bringing you up to see the Bandits that last weekend in August versus the Rockford Thunder.
Other teams I talked with include the Wheaton Bobcats, Herscher All Stars, and teams from St. John Indiana.
A big thanks goes out to Bill Yohnka and Allison Beasley from WKAN for having me on their show last Friday. We had a fun time in the studio talking Bandits and what we have coming up on the schedule. A special thanks also to Lane Walters and the Donovan IL All Stars. Lane is bringing her group up August 9th (Sunday) when we finish our series with the Racers -- also just let me know that even more people are coming out. Very cool to have all the Bandits fans coming out to cheer on the Bandits as they come down the home stretch.
To everyone out there, if you have teams playing fall ball, let me know! I have some tournaments this fall I'll be at hopefully with a 2nd Championship to talk about *knock on wood* so I hope to see you there.
If you are interested in bringing a group out to the Bandits, contact me at chendrickson@chicagobandits.com

See you soon and Go Bandits!
@chrishndrcksn

Where in the Burbs is Big South -- July 30

To all of you who made it out to Schaumburg for the Battle of the Sexes or to Thillens Stadium THANK YOU from all of us! The turnouts at each ballpark were incredible and it shows how much softball means to all of you.

It's going to be nice being home for the last 2 weeks of the season as we host Akron and then Rockford. If you havent got your tickets yet there is still time but time is going fast! When you see me at your travel team tryouts, fall league practices or all star games coming up in the next 3 weeks and want tickets we can get you taken care of.

I'll be back on WKAN radio AM 1320 here in Kankakee this Friday morning with Bill Yohnka. Bill also doubles his duties as he is with the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce and does a great job at Chamber events that I have been at. Tune in and call in and let us know you're listening!

A lot of people ask what I do or what we as the Bandits front office do once the season ends and the players have gone back to their coaching jobs or regular jobs. A really good question to ask: keep reading the blogs because we'll let you know what we have going on and where we'll be. For me there is no off season and where ever there is a game or tournament you might just see me there talking Bandits softball and counting down the days until next year.

Go BANDITS and I hope to see everyone at the ballpark!

~Chris Hendrickson