Given that the regular season of the AUSL is winding down, there is much to be decided regarding the postseason. Looking at the matchup between the Oklahoma City Sparks and Texas Volts, it is a tale of two squads.
For the Spark, they find themselves in the hunt for the play-in game while the Volts look to play spoiler. That being said, here is a recap of that series and more.
Oklahoma City Spark Vs. Texas Volts
Photo Credit: AUSL
In Game One, Oklahoma City opened up the scoring in the top of the first with a Sydney Romero RBI double. Texas would tie it in the bottom of the third via an RBI single by Danieca Coffey. However, the Spark would take the lead in the fourth as they plated three runs in the inning. Here, Sydney Sherrill and Grace Jenkins both scored on a throwing error as Maya Brady hit a sacrifice fly RBI.
What’s more, Oklahoma City expanded its lead with three more runs in the fifth inning as Amari Harper slammed a solo home run and Sydney McKinney hit a two-run single. Although Jackie Lis went deep for the Volts, it was not enough as the Spark got the 7 – 2 victory. Left-hander Jailyn Ford went the distance for Oklahoma City, striking out nine.
For fear of sounding repetitive, the scoreboard at Dell Diamond in Round Rock for Game Two looked similar to Game One. Following two scoreless innings, the Sparks struck first in the top of the third inning. It was a groundout RBI by McKinney. Also, Delanie Wisz scored by way of a throwing error in the top of the fourth for the Spark.
Without delay, Dejah Mulipola closed the gap for the Volts with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth. In the end, Oklahoma City blew the game wide open thanks to a five-run seventh inning. To begin, Bubba Nickles-Camarena plated on a wild pitch.
Afterwards, Sy Romero hit a three-run homer while Harper went yard. Lastly, Sierra Romero (more on her shortly) hit an RBI double in the bottom of the inning in front of the home crowd. Like Game One, it was a 7 – 2 win for Oklahoma City as pitcher Maddie Penta tossed a complete game.
Photo Credit: AUSL
Penta sat down four Volts batters in the win for the Spark. Despite the loss, pitcher Rachel Garcia struck out a dozen Spark batters for the Volts.
Volts Fans Say Goodbye to a Softball Great in Texas
Even though Texas suffered defeat, the crowd at Round Rock witnessed the last home game as a s in the illustrious career of Si Romero. In the seventh, she walked off the field to a standing ovation and praise from her teammates. Equally important, she was able to share a softball field with her sister one final time.
While her career in the AUSL is not quite complete, Sierra will go down as one of the best players in the league’s history.
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