Article written by Kevin Chlum of the North Central Illinois News Tribune
CHICAGO — Torie Bunzell had no problem mowing down hitters at La Salle-Peru High School.
College batters have proved no trouble for the Utica native either. She has set the school record for strikeouts in each of her first two seasons at Quincy University.
Tuesday night, Bunzell showed that she can strikeout a professional hitter as well.
In an exhibition game against the Chicago Bandits at Thillens Stadium, Bunzell caught Cheyenne Jenks looking at a changeup on a full count.
Bunzell was the only pitcher on the USSA All-Star team to strike out a Bandit player in the Bandits’ 16-0 win.
“I just beared down,” said Bunzell, who earned a spot in the game by being named all-tournament at the Northern Illinois State Tournament playing for the Indiana Slammers. “The catcher called a good sequence, just getting them with the changeup and offspeed. We noticed last time we played them (with the Slammers) that they had a little bit of trouble with the offspeed, so that’s what we stuck with.”
Bunzell proved she could hang with the professional hitters, but the Bandits also demonstrated why they are paid to hit.
Jamie Schloredt belted the first pitch Bunzell threw over the right-field fence to give the Bandits a 4-0 lead.
“That’s what they’re paid to do. They’re paid to hit home runs and get their bats on everything,” Bunzell said. “It was like, ‘OK, I got it out of the way, now I can get down to business.’ It almost felt good to get out there and get it over with.”
Following the home run and strikeout, Bunzell allowed an infield single to Laura Harms before walking Ashley Carlson.
Bunzell then escaped the inning by getting Stacy May to ground into a 5-3 double play.
“That was huge. To end the inning like that, you couldn’t ask for a better way,” Bunzell said. “To get out of it quick like that was huge.”
Bunzell allowed one run on two hits with one strikeout and a walk in her one inning in the pitching circle.
“Obviously, I would have liked to not give up that run, but like I said, this is what they’re paid to do,” Bunzell said. “You can’t go in expecting miracles.”
Bunzell also played one inning at first base and took a turn at bat against Bandit relief pitcher Kristina Thorson in the fourth inning.
Bunzell worked the count to 3-2 before watching strike three go by. She swung and missed at two pitches.
“Ugh,” Bunzell said with a laugh about her at bat. “Honestly, I probably haven’t seen a pitch since Februrary. It might not have been the prettiest thing, but I went up there and took some hacks.”
Strike three came in high, drawing some complaints from the crowd. Bunzell thought it may have been ball four.
“It was,” Bunzell said when asked if she thought the pitch was high. “I didn’t know if I bended down into it or if it came up into my eyes, I don’t know, but it was in my eyes. I don’t think that’s a strike, but it’s not my call.”
Despite the strikeout and the 16-0 loss, Bunzell enjoyed her experience playing against the Bandits.
“It was awesome, a big thrill,” Bunzell said. “It’s just higher competition. You’re at the top of your game. You just think it’s another game … but better. It was big.”
Bunzell took a photo after the game with Bandit infielder Samantha Findlay. Bunzell and Findlay also took a picture together when Bunzell was in high school when Findlay and her father held a hitting clinic at Ottawa High School. During her freshman and sophomore seasons at La Salle-Peru, Bunzell played against Findlay, who went to Lockport.
Notes: Star pitcher Jennie Finch did not play in the game with the Bandits. … Bunzell’s Indiana Slammers team won the state tournament in Elgin July 11-12 and the USSSA World Series last weekend in Rockford. … Bunzell and the Slammers wrap up their summer season this weekend at the NSA World Series in East Peoria. … Bunzell is scheduled to have knee surgery Aug. 3 to repair a torn meniscus. She is expected to be on crutches for six weeks and in rehab for six weeks, causing her to miss the fall season at Quincy.
