Elgin, Ill. –After wrapping up the 2009 National Professional Fastpitch season with a 7-6 record in 78.2 innings pitched and a 2.77 ERA, Chicago Bandits pitcher Kristina Thorson has reached a deal to play for the Fiorini Softball Club Forli – an Italian Pro Softball team – in an effort to bolster their pitching staff as the team moves into the playoffs in late August and mid September.

“It’s so much fun to play in Europe and I love playing in Italy,” said Thorson. The upcoming stint with Forli will be her second venture into European softball as she played for the Dorbirn Sharx in 2006. “Going to Europe, you get to experience the different cultures, the different style of play, new people and they don’t really make any money so they’re truly playing for the love of the game over there. It’s inspiring.”

“Usually you play a double header one day a week and then practice one day a week,” added Thorson. “So you really get to travel a lot and experience the countries.”

Details of Thorson’s contract were not immediately available, but Bandits’ fans need not worry however, as Thorson will not miss any of the remaining 2009 season and will be back to pitch for the black and orange in 2010.

“I’m just going to pitch for the playoffs, I get to travel, play in a new setting and hopefully learn some Italian,” said Thorson. “And go to Oktoberfest. I will be back next season for the Bandits, this is just a chance to play softball for a little longer this season.”