Rain, Bandits stop Rebellion in five-inning game
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Rebellion’s Mandy Ogle gets a high-five from teammate Briana Hamilton after Ogle scored during the third inning of the game against the Chicago Bandits on Monday, June 8.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Rebellion's Olivia Watkins misses a line drive hit while the Bandits' Amber Patton runs to second during the second inning.
The Rebellion’s Emily Weiman throws a pitch during Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bandits at Consol Energy Park. The game was called after five innings because of rain.
Chalk this loss up to the Chicago Bandits and Mother Nature.
A rain delay that began at 8:59 p.m. forced the early end of Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bandits and produced a 4-2 loss for the Rebellion in front of 302 drenched fans at Consol Energy Park.
The game was stopped in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Rebellion at bat. They had two runners on base and one out. Chicago had just made a pitching change, removing starter Sara Moulton for Kirsten Verdun. The rains came and stopped the game. After a 45-minute wait, the game was declared over by the umpires and the Rebellion had their seventh loss in nine games.
The ruling by the umpires appeared to be in contrast with the rules on the National Pro Softball League website that state:
“If play needs to be stopped before completion of the game, due to weather or emergency, and cannot continue on that day, the game will be suspended and resumed exactly where it left off, including the batter’s count. …”
That was little consolation to Rebellion first-year manager Craig Montvidas.
“We went to the umpires and asked the same question,” Montvidas said of possibly continuing the game today. The two teams play again tonight with first pitch at 7 p.m.
“They said it was an official game because it was more than five innings. It is what it is. The umpires were adamant. It’s tough because we were in a good position (to score).”
Chicago manager Mike Steuerwald can sympathize.
“I’ve been on the other side of this,” he said. “We’ve had this happen a couple times to us, especially in Florida. They had a rally going. We were just on the right side of the scoreboard this time.”
The loss ruined the debut of Rebellion starter Emily Weiman, who threw more than 100 pitches, struck out five, walked three and gave up three earned runs in six innings.
“She was very effective,” Montvidas said. “She kept them off balance and they just hit a couple hard balls. The rest were bloopers and ground balls.”
Chicago broke the game open with three runs in the fourth inning, scored with the help of an error on catcher Mandy Ogle and wild pitch from Weiman. RT Cantillo sent a soft liner over shortstop for a two-out single and Danielle Zimkowitz walked. Brenna Moss drove in Cantillo with a single and Zymowitz scored when the throw home bounced away from Ogle. Moss came around to score when Weiman unleashed a wild pitch.
The Rebellion got their first hit and first runs in the third inning. Second baseman Olivia Watkins opened the inning with a sharp single to center field and moved to second on a bunt single by Ogle. Center-fielder Courtney Senas sacrificed both runners over before first baseman Alisa Goler hit a sacrifice fly that scored Watkins. Right-fielder Alexa Peterson singled in Ogle to give the Rebellion a short-lived lead, 2-1.
Chicago broke a scoreless tie in the second inning when third baseman Amber Patton drew a one-out walk, and moved to third base on a single by first baseman Megan Blank. Cantillo grounded to third, where Cheyenne Cordes fired home to get Patton trying to score. Zymkowitz then singled to left field to score Blank.
Notes
The Rebellion made a number of roster moves over the weekend. They released pitchers Angel Bunner and Bryana Walker, outfielder Ashley Carter and designated player Amber Parrish. Brought onto the roster were third baseman Virginnie Anneveld, pitcher Dagmar Bloeming, catcher-first baseman Kristyn Sandberg, infielder Brittney Lindley and outfielder Victoria Hayward. The Rebellion also added shortstop Maddie O’Brien and pitcher Emily Weiman.