Without question, the second iteration of the AUSL Cup did not disappoint as the leaderboard was close at the top. All eyes were on pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl and infielder Baylee Klingler as it became a race between both to be champion. All three games were important at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois. That being said, here is a recap of the action in the fourth and final series.
Team Klingler Vs. Team Flippen
Following a scoreless first inning, Amari Harper gave Klingler’s team the lead in the top of the second via a sacrifice fly RBI. However, the bat of Bubba Nickles-Camarena gave Hannah Flippen‘s squad the lead back with a three-run homer in the bottom of the third. In this case, that was enough to give Team Flippen the 3 – 1 win.
Firstly, Rachel Garcia won MVP 1 Honors as the right-hander struck out five batters in five-and-a-third innings for Team Flippen. Nickles-Camarena garnered MVP 2 Honors with her three-RBI performance.
Photo Credit: Jade Hewitt Athletes Unlimited
MVP 3 Honors went to pitcher Kenzie Brown, who picked up the save for Flippen’s team as she closed out the last one-and-two-thirds of the contest. For Team Klingler, Sydney Sherrill took home Defensive MVP Honors.
Team Flippen Vs. Team Kilfoyl
In this contest, Team Kilfoyl found the scoreboard early in the bottom of the first with two runs. Rookie Reese Atwood plated an RBI by way of a walk as Delanie Wisz hit a sacrifice fly RBI. Kilfoyl’s squad added one more run in the second inning with an RBI single by Aubrey Leach.
Yet, Team Flippen tied the ballgame in the top of the third as Morgan Zerkle hit a two-run RBI while a run scored on a throwing error. Ultimately, Sami Williams broke 3 – 3 tie with an RBI single for Kilfoyl’s team, which would be the decider as they get the 4 -3 victory.
Credit: Jade Hewitt – Athletes Unlimited
Williams would get MVP 1 Honors thanks to her two hits and RBI effort. Zerkle was given MVP 2 Honors with her two-hit and two-RBI showing. Next, Kilfoyl would get the MVP 3 Honors as she went four-and-a-third innings, allowing four hits with three strikeouts. Finally, Megan Grant of Team Kilfoyl was the game’s Defensive MVP.
Team Kilfoyl Vs. Team Klingler
Appropriately, the final game of this season’s AUSL Cup came down to these two teams. After an RBI single by Harper in the bottom of the second for Team Kilfoyl, the game was scoreless until the sixth inning. Like the second inning, Kilfoyl’s squad added more runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Harper drove in another RBI single, as did Sydney McKinney, while Bri Ellis hit a two-run double in the inning. Team Klingler completed the shutout with a 5 – 0 win over Team Kilfoyl. For starters, Harper with her two hits and RBIs garnered her MVP 1 Honors. Kilfoyl won MVP 2 Honors, McKinney was the MVP 3, and Williams was the Defensive MVP of the game.
Photo Credit: @AUSL_Bandits (Twitter/X)
Despite the loss, Kilfoyl became the AUSL Cup champion by 32 points over Klingler. Looking at third place, pitcher Sam Landry as she climbed eight spots on the leaderboard as Flippen place fourth. AUSL will have to wait until next year to see if Kilfoyl can defend her crown,
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