Jun 11, 2016 3 min read

Last season, the Pennsylvania Rebellion were mostly on the opposite end of these beatings.

Before fans had a chance to get comfortable for Saturday night’s game against the Chicago Bandits at Consol Energy Park, it was all but over.

The Rebellion erupted for seven runs in the first inning against Chicago pitcher Tatum Edwards, knocking her out of the game after 45 pitches and before she could record an out in an 8-1 victory over the Bandits in front of 1,263 fans.

Edwards pitched for the Rebellion last season but was traded with her sister Taylor at midseason to Chicago.

This marked the fifth time in 11 games that the Rebellion (4-7) scored at least seven runs. The most recent was a 7-1 win over the Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs Tuesday.

“We needed a game like this,” Rebellion head coach Craig Montvidas said. “We’re definitely hitting better. Going into the game, we had a .299 batting average. With two more stolen bases, we’re 14 out of last 15. There are a lot of positive things.”

In an unusual move announced during the game, the National Pro Fastpitch softball league did not permit fans on the field to get autographs following the game. The NPF did not give a reason for this or indicate whether the practice of signing autographs will return in the future. The announcement at Consol Energy Park said it was for the “safety and well-being” of the fans.

The Rebellion’s big inning began innocently enough when Amanda Winkfield walked. Lindsey Stephens followed with a walk. Alexa Peterson then deposited Edwards’ third pitch of the at-bat over the left-field fence for a three-run home run, her third of the season.

“It’s helpful for our team to play loose and relaxed,” said Peterson. “When we score like that, it gets our energy up and we build off each other. Every single player in this league is a good hitter so we have to be able to compete with the scores the other teams put up. We need to put up five, six runs to be successful.”

Cleanup hitter Lexi Elkins followed the home run with a single up the middle and Kristyn Sandberg followed with a single to left. Alisa Goler walked to load the bases and Mandy Ogle drove in Elkins with a fielder’s choice. Goler beat the throw to second on the fielder’s choice grounder to keep the bases loaded. Whitney Arion and Olivia Watkins each drew a walk, driving in runs to make it 6-0. That was the end for Edwards. Sara Moultonn relieved Edwards and gave up a groundout that scored Arion to make it 7-0.

Miranda Kramer started and went four innings to pick up the win, her second of the season against one loss. Kramer gave up three hits and one run, struck out four and walked two. Emily Weimann went three and did not allow a run.