McKinney, Texas, Saturday, July 11, 2015 – Dallas Charge’s rookie Lauren Haeger tossed a one-hit shutout Saturday night in McKinney against the Chicago Bandits in the finale of their three game series. Haeger fanned seven and walked just one. The one safety was in the Bandits first at bat of the game. Emily Allard bounced the ball over the third baseman and into the hands of the rangy shortstop Renada Davis, who had no chance to throw out the speedy Allard
Haeger stayed out of trouble most of the night, working all but the first inning with a lead. In the sixth, after two errors and a hit batter, Haeger faced bases loaded with just one out. She got the Bandits Megan Blank to popup to short and then struck out Sammy Marshall to escape.
The Charge staked Haeger to an early lead, scoring five runs in the first two innings. Eri Yamada, who was 3-for-4, poked a single into shallow left with one out. Kylee Lahners walked on four pitches and Haeger lined to left field for out number two. Birthday girl, Nadia Taylor singled through the left side opening the scoring. Kaitlyn Richardson followed with a double down the right field line scoring Lahners and pushing the advantage to two. Veteran Kaylyn Castillo earned a seven pitch walk before Brianna Cherry, who was 3-for-3, singled up the middle to make the score 3-0, Charge.
The Charge would extend their lead in the second inning. Kayley Novak reached on a soft slap towards the shortstop. Novak was forced out by Renada Davis roller to third base. Yamada beat out a bunt and the throw to first got away moving Davis to third with one out. Yamada promptly stole second and when the throw from the catcher when through Davis came home with run number four. A strike out and walk later, Tayor delivered a double to right field scoring Yamada and extending the lead to 5-0. That hit chased Sarah Moulton from the circle in favor of Kristen Verdun. The Charge would threaten throughout, but were kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Haeger improved to 3-4 in the circle and lowered her ERA to 2.85.
The Charge will head to PA to face the Rebellion on Monday evening at CONSOL Energy Park with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Eastern.
Box Score
About Dallas Charge
The Dallas Charge will begin competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge will provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Dallas Charge at www.dallascharge.com
About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch is headquarted in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport has operated since 1997 under the name of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.