The Quick Story: Infielder Delanie Wisz drove in the game-winning run with a bloop single down the left field line in the eighth inning as the Bandits (10-5) ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory over the Blaze (3-12) in Athletes Unlimited Softball League action at a sold-out Parkway Bank Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Key Moment: After the Blaze forced extra innings with a two-run home run by outfielder Kalei Harding in the seventh inning, the Bandits responded by plating the game-winning run in the eighth inning. Outfielder Bubba Nickles-Camarena, who was placed on second base, advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by infielder Sydney McKinney. Wisz followed by dropping a single just inside the left field line to bring Nickles-Camarena home for the victory.
Blaze Notes
- The Blaze dropped to 0-2 in extra-inning games this season with Wednesday’s setback … They also lost by a 5-1 count to the Volts on June 8 in Wichita.
- The Blaze scored first for just the fourth time in 15 games this season, including the second game in a row and are now 1-3 when taking an early advantage.
- Utility player Baylee Klingler returned to the lineup after missing the previous four games … She was 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Utility player Ali Newland, who joined the Blaze roster earlier this week, launched the first home run of her AUSL career in the top of the second inning to give the Blaze a 1-0 lead … Newland also added a double in the fourth inning to post her second multi-hit game of the season.
- Outfielder Kalei Harding snapped an 0-for-12 skid with her first hit of the season in the top of the seventh inning, a two-run home run to left field that evened the score at 4-all.
- Outfielder McKenzie Clark registered her second multi-hit game with the Blaze after finishing with a 2-for-4 effort in addition to two runs scored.
- Infielder Aubrey Leach has hit safely in five of the last six games after going 1-for-3 with a walk … She has also reached base safely in seven consecutive outings.
- Utility player Kayla Kowalik has posted a hit in four of her last six games with her 1-for-3 showing on Wednesday.
- Rookie pitcher Emma Lemley (2-2) suffered the loss in the circle after conceding the game-winning run in the eighth inning.
Blaze’s Next Game: Friday, July 11 vs. Volts (Seattle, Wash.) | 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Bandits Notes
- The Bandits initiated a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the first inning to review an out call on infielder Skylar Wallace attempting to extend a hit into a double … The challenge was successful as the call on the field was reversed and Wallace was safe at second.
- The Bandits also asked for a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the seventh inning on a fielder’s choice as outfielder Morgan Zerkle was called out at second base … The challenge was successful after the call was changed to safe.
- The Bandits own a 4-2 lead in the season series over the Blaze with Wednesday’s victory … The teams will close the regular season with a pair of games on July 22-23 at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.
- The Bandits are now 2-0 in extra-inning games this season … They also claimed a 6-5 victory in nine innings over the Volts on June 12 in Sulphur, Louisiana.
- Infielder Delanie Wisz has been responsible for both of the game-winning hits in the Bandits’ extra-inning victories.
- Wisz now has a hit in four of her last five games after going three straight outings without a hit from June 19-21.
- Zerkle authored her ninth multi-hit game in the last 10 contests with her 2-for-4 performance on Wednesday … She now leads the AUSL with 25 hits over 15 games.
- Outfielder Bella Dayton posted her fourth multi-hit game with a single in the third inning and a double in the fourth inning.
- Infielder Erin Coffel smashed her fourth home run of the season with a solo shot to left field in the fifth inning, giving her at least one hit in 10 of her last 11 games.
- Wallace has hit safely in 13 of her last 14 outings after recording a double in the bottom of the first inning … She has also reached base safely in 14 of her 15 appearances this season.
- Infielder Sydney McKinney has a hit in seven of her last eight games after an infield single in the fourth inning.
- Pitcher Odicci Alexander upped her record to 3-1 on the season after allowing one run on two hits over 2.0 innings with three strikeouts.
- Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl did not factor in the decision after giving up three runs on six hits over 6.0 innings with three strikeouts.
Bandits’ Next Game: Friday, July 11 vs. Talons (Omaha, Neb.) | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
