The Quick Story: The Bandits overcame a pair of comeback bids by the Volts to secure a berth in the AUSL Championship with a thrilling 8-7 victory in the opening game of their four-game series at Dell Diamond on Thursday evening.
Key Moment: After falling behind by a 6-5 margin in the fifth inning, the Bandits responded with three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take an 8-6 lead on a three-run home run by infielder Skylar Wallace. The Volts narrowed the gap to 8-7 in the bottom of the frame when outfielder Amanda Lorenz belted a solo home run down the left field line, but they were unable to get any closer.
Bandits Notes
- The Bandits secured the second berth in the AUSL Championship as a result of their win over the Volts on Thursday night … They will face the Talons in the best-of-three series at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on July 26-28.
- The Bandits now lead the season series against the Volts by a 4-1 margin … They won the first three encounters in Sulphur, Louisiana, on June 12-14 before the Volts earned a 5-3 win last Monday in Rosemont.
- The Bandits improved to 10-2 when scoring six or more runs this season … It also marked their second victory this season when allowing six or more runs.
- The Bandits have scored six or more runs in all four of their victories over the Volts this season.
- The Bandits, who lead the AUSL with 30 home runs, have registered nine home runs in their last five games after boasting a pair of homers against the Volts on Thursday night … They have also hit multiple home runs in 9-of-19 games, fashioning a 7-2 mark in those contests.
- The Bandits have tallied 10 or more hits in 12-of-19 games this season … However, they were outhit for the sixth time this season after the Volts held an 11-10 edge in hits.
- The Bandits have scored three or more runs in all 19 games, which leads the AUSL.
- The Bandits were 9-for-16 in advancement opportunities while posting a 5-for-10 effort with runners in scoring position … They also posted a 6-of-14 success rate with runners on base.
- Infielder Erin Coffel reached base safely for the 18th consecutive game after drawing a walk in the top of the first inning … However, she saw her six-game hitting streak come to an end after going 0-for-3 in the victory.
- Outfielder Morgan Zerkle belted her league-leading seventh home run of the season in the top of the third inning, a solo shot to right center field … The home run extended her hitting streak to six games.
- Zerkle also added a single in the fourth inning to produce her league-leading 12th multi-hit game of the campaign, which have all come in the last 14 contests.
- Infielder Skylar Wallace has hit safely in 17-of-19 games this season, including the last six in a row, after registering an infield single in the top of the third inning … She also added a single in the fourth inning before her three-run home run in the sixth inning, giving her three hits in a game for the first time this season.
- Infielder Danielle Gibson Whorton went 2-for-4 with a single and a double to mark her fifth multi-hit game this season, including her first occurrence with the Bandits.
- Outfielder Bella Dayton collected her fifth multi-hit contest of the season after posting a pair of hits in the victory … She singled through the right side in the fourth inning before adding a double in the sixth inning.
- Infielder Sydney McKinney has hit safely in 10 of her last 12 games after registering a single to left field in the third inning.
- Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl, who ran her record to 4-1, authored the eighth victory by a Bandits relief pitcher this season.
Volts Notes
- The Volts initiated a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the first inning when infielder Sierra Romero was called out at second base trying to advance with two outs … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.
- The Volts also requested a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the fifth inning when catcher Dejah Mulipola was called out at third base … The challenge was successful after the Bandits were called for obstruction.
- The Volts scored in the first inning for just the fourth time in 19 games this season … In addition, they plated the game’s first run for the seventh time this season.
- The Volts hit a season-high three home runs against the Bandits on Thursday night, marking the fourth time they have notched multiple home runs in the same outing.
- The Volts lost for just the second time this season in eight games when outhitting their opponent.
- The Volts finished with 11 hits in Thursday’s setback, marking the third time they have tallied 10 or more hits in a game this season … They furnished a season-high 15 hits against the Blaze on June 8 and July 11.
- The Volts accumulated four extra-base hits in Thursday’s series opener after combining for just three extra-base hits in their previous two contests.
- Eight of the Volts’ nine starters registered at least one hit in Thursday’s series opener against the Bandits … Only utility player Danieca Coffey was left without a hit after going 0-for-3.
- Outfielder Ciara Briggs posted her fourth multi-hit game with the Volts after going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
- Infielder Sierra Romero went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, marking her fifth multi-hit game of the campaign.
- Infielder Jessi Warren slugged her first home run of the season with two outs in the bottom of the second inning to give the Volts a 2-0 lead … It marked the Volts’ 14th home run of the season, including the third homer in the last six games.
- Outfielder Amanda Lorenz hit a pair of home runs in the loss against the Bandits on Thursday night, marking the fourth time a player has hit two home runs in the same game … Lorenz also hit two home runs against the Talons on June 23.
- Pitcher Payton Gottshall dropped to 1-2 on the season after giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits over 2.0 innings.
Next Game: Friday, July 18 | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
Probably Starting Pitchers: Sarah Willis (1-1, 7.00) vs. Mariah Mazón (0-2, 5.25)
