Bandits Add Trio Of Players To Bolster Roster, Crucial Part Of 2008 Title Run
ELGIN, IL – The Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announced today that they have signed three high-caliber players for the 2010 season. Players signing today are utility player Emily Friedman and pitcher Jessica Sallinger, and 2010 USA Women’s National Team selection, catcher Ashley Holcombe.
Sallinger was previously drafted by and pitched for the Bandits from 2006-2008, then spent 2009 with the now defunct Philadelphia Force. “I am very excited to be coming back to the Chicago Bandits,” said Sallinger. “This is where my professional career began and where I won a National Championship. I feel like I am coming back home and I am looking forward to another great year and hopefully another Championship as a Bandit!”
In 2008, Sallinger was a workhorse for the Bandits, starting 18 games in the circle, while going 12-6 as a starter and also contributing three saves, one of which came in the Championship Series against the Washington Glory. Sallinger also struck out 107 batters in 120 innings of work, leading the Bandits to the 2008 Cowles Cup trophy.
Behind the plate the Bandits signed WNT selection and 2009 Rockford Thunder rookie catcher Ashley Holcombe. Added for her elite defensive ability, Holcombe split time last season behind the plate defensively for the Thunder. “I’m so thankful and excited about the opportunity to come to Chicago and do what I love—play ball! Chicago is an amazing city and they have great fans. The Bandits have an awesome pitching staff and I’m thrilled to work with each of them and bring the Championship back to the Bandits in 2010!”
Defensively in 2008 at the University of Alabama, Holcombe had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in SEC games and a .988 overall fielding percentage, while throwing out 7-of-20 attempted base stealers with an additional eight pickoffs. During her junior season at Alabama she batted a career best .294 with 13 doubles, 25 RBIs and seven home runs.
Joining Holcombe and Sallinger on the Bandits roster is Sallinger’s former Force teammate Emily Friedman. The right-handed utility player batted .250 in the line-up for Philadelphia as a second baseman, recording 27 hits, 11 RBIs, three doubles and three homeruns. Friedman is expected to play at various positions in the Bandits line-up and will bring a welcome spark to the field.
“It is an honor and privilege to continue my career with the Chicago Bandits in the 2010 season,” said Friedman. “I am extremely excited to be a part of a first-class organization and contribute to building a future for women’s professional softball in the NPF.”
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