Aug. 18, 2011
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — When Stacy May-Johnson finished leading Team USA to a Gold Medal in the World Cup of Softball VI another opportunity presented itself. The Chicago Bandits — her former National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) team — wanted her back for the stretch run and NPF playoffs.
“When I got back from the World Cup, I had a text message on my phone, giving me the opportunity to rejoin the team for the rest of the season,” said May-Johnson, who is entering her second season as an assistant coach with the University of Iowa softball program. “I took a couple of days to think about it, talked to some people, and it all worked out.”
May-Johnson rejoined the squad for an Aug. 11 game against the USSSA Pride. She made quite a splash, going 1-for-3, which included a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. She played in four games to close out the regular season, starting every game at third base.
“It was pretty cool for my first game back,” said May-Johnson. “To get a big hit that ended up helping our team win that game. It felt good to get back into the swing of things and to get a little momentum heading into the playoffs.”
The Bandits, the No. 3 seed, begin a best of three series against the second-seeded Akron Racers tonight in the NPF Championship Series in Sulpher, La. In the top half of the bracket, the top-seeded Pride square off against the fourth-seeded NPF Diamonds. The winners will meet in the best-of-three championship series on Saturday and Sunday.
The best of three finals series begin at 7 p.m. Saturday night. Game two and the “if necessary” game will begin at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Game two will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com, while the “if necessary” contest will air live on ESPN3 and on ESPN2 Monday tape-delayed beginning at 9 p.m.