The Chicago Bandits (20-12) and the USSSA Pride (17-13) will meet for just the second time this season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
Their last meeting was in early June in Lubbock, Texas. It was a tough battle between the two teams, with the Bandits coming out on top with three wins in the five game series.
In Lubbock, the series was a marked battle between two of the world’s most notable pitchers, Cat Osterman (3-0) and Jennie Finch (3-1). Due to a torn bicep suffered in Venezuela while playing with Team USA, Cat Osterman is out for the rest of the 2010 season.
Despite this injury, the Bandits still have quite a tough road ahead of them this weekend in Florida.
“They’ve got everybody here with them, all their National Team players are back. The only person they’re missing is Cat, which is a big loss for them,” said Bandits veteran Stacy May. “She’s one of the best in the game and so not having her in their lineup is obviously to our advantage."
This will be the fourth road game series for the Bandits, coming off a 14-day road trip with one day of rest prior to leaving for Orlando, “We’ve been on the road for a long time now and its hot and humid down here, I think we need to come out mentally focused because our bodies are a little bit tired right now,” said May.
With a series win against the Tennessee Diamonds, and going 1-1 in a duplicate series against the Akron Racers, the Bandits certainly have been hitting their stride as they sit in first place with a 20-12 record in the NPF.
The Pride have fought their way ahead of the Akron Racers (17-14) to put themselves in second place, trailing first by just two games. The Bandits will have to win this series if they want to hold on to their first place title.
Despite Cat being out of the picture, the Pride threw a curve against the Bandits with the addition of recent University of Washington graduate and pitcher Danielle Lawrie.
In 2009 Lawrie played a crucial role as a junior with the Huskies when they won the Women’s College World Series Championship. In her senior year, Lawrie was awarded the ASA/USA Softball National Player of the Year and the Honda Award for softball prior to playing with Team Canada and joining the Pride in July.
Lawrie provides an unknown factor for the Bandits, as this will be the first time facing off against her for many players..<br></br><br></br>
“Honestly, I don’t really know what to expect from her. We’re gonna be figuring her out, and she’ll be figuring us out,” said May, “it should be interesting.”
Since June there have been many changes to the Bandits roster, and it seems as though these changes are working well. With Emily Friedman moved to center field, Vicky Galindo calling second base her new home and other Team USA pitchers and catchers back in rotation, the Bandits have seen a very successful second half of the 2010 season.
Although the Championship series seems just around the corner, the Bandits vs. Pride series is almost like they are playing each other for the first time. It has been a long time since these last two teams met, with players out, players moved to new positions and new names, it will be an interesting and competitive series.
All games this weekend will be free to the public and played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Games will be played today, July 29 at 7:05 pm, Friday, July 30 at 7:05 pm, Saturday, July 31 at 5:05 pm, and will conclude on Sunday, August 1 at 12:05 pm.
You can follow the games live on mlb.com or through the Bandits Twitter page at www.twitter.com/npfbandits.
