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Chicago Bandits (20-13) left fielder Emily Friedman made a full extension, diving catch to end the bottom of the sixth inning, saving runs as the bases were loaded for the Pride. Leading off in the top of the seventh, the veteran Friedman blasted a pitch deep to left field, bringing the Bandits to within one run, 4-3, in the top of the seventh.

With two on and two down in the top of the seventh, Rachel Folden swung hard, but her pop up fell harmlessly into Pride (18-14) left fielder Jessica Mendoza’s glove, ending the ballgame at 4-3 in favor of the Pride.

Fresh off her World Cup of Softball victory with the USA national team, Bandits’ pitcher Eileen Canney stepped into the circle to kick things off against the USSSA Florida Pride. Canney (1-4) burned through the Pride lineup for the first three innings, getting pop ups and grounders when needed. 

Canney would meet her match, however, as the Pride struck hard in the fourth inning.

USSSA Pride right fielder Kelly Kretschman stepped up to the plate, blasting a pitch deep to centerfield. Bandits centerfielder Caitlin Lever jumped along the wall, bringing the centerfield wall down in her path, but was unable to snag it as the ball bounced off the wall, rolling back toward second base.

With Kretschman on third base, Andrea Duran smacked the next Canney pitch deep to the outfield, scoring the first run for the Pride. Two batters and a wild pitch later, the Pride claimed a 3-0 lead, sending Canney back to the Bandits dugout as Kristina Thorson came in to stop the bleeding.

With runners on second and third, Thorson pegged Natasha Watley square in the back to load the bases. Thorson pitched low, getting Alyssa Haber to ground out at home, for the second out of the inning. The fielder’s choice by Bandits short stop Christine Knauer saved a run, but kept the bases loaded for Jessica Mendoza.

With two down and a full count, Thorson wound up, catching Mendoza looking for a controversial called strike three, ending the bottom of the fourth.

On the other side of the circle, Burkhart dominated the Bandits through four innings, holding the Bandits to one hit by Lever through four. The Bandits threatened in the top of the fifth when Angela Findlay and Lever stole bases to put runners on second and third for Knauer.

The rookie earned her pay, blooping a single over third base to score one, bringing the Bandits to within two of the Pride, 3-1. Amber Patton sent Knauer to third and Lever home for another run with a single of her own, bringing the Bandits closer at 3-2.

Thorson’s band-aid in the circle would only hold so long, as in the bottom of the sixth the Pride loaded the bases with Watley, Mendoza and Charlotte Morgan. Thorson was pulled in favor of Nikki Nemitz.

Nemitz would hold tight, but the Bandits could not score any more after Friedman’s home run, ending the game at 4-3. Canney is credited with the loss and Burkhart (4-6) earned the victory in the circle for the Pride.

The Bandits and the Pride square off again tomorrow night at 7:05 ET with Jennie Finch (3-1) and Danielle Lawrie expected to take the circle for their respective clubs. This will be the first career start in the NPF for Lawrie as she was recently signed to the Pride’s roster.