Without question, Series One of the inaugural AUSL season delivered and then some. Sellout crowds in Rosemont and Wichita witnessed history with the best softball talent across the country. The second series began with Game Eight between the Talons and Blaze being rained out in Chattanooga.
Yet, the Volts-Bandits series (Games Seven and Nine) happened in Sulphur, Louisiana. On Saturday, fans were treated to a doubleheader of the Talons versus Bandits and the final game of the Volts-Bandits series. That being said, here is a recap of Games Eight, 10, and 11.
Game Eight: No Shortage of Offense in the Volunteer State
Here, this game was set for Friday night, but the weather had other plans. Given the break, the offense found life for the Talons and Blaze early on. In the top of the first, Sierra Sacco scored on a throwing error as Hannah Flippen hit a three-run homer for the Talons. Baylee Klingler (remember the name) put the Blaze on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Next, the Talons added to the lead in the second with an RBI single by Ali Aguilar and an RBI by Sacco in the third for a 6-1 lead.
All things considered, business picked in the fourth from both lineups. Bri Ellis began the action with a two-run single and another RBI single by Victoria Hayward. Similarly, Sharlize Palacios hit a two-run RBI single and one from Aguilar, completing a six-run inning. For the Blaze, Ana Gold scored on a wild while Klingler slammed a three-run shot to right field in the inning.
However, it was all Blaze in the fifth inning thanks to a pair of RBIs from Danielle Gibson Whorton. What’s more, Aubrey Leach, Korbe Otis, and Klingler added RBIs for a five-run inning. With the game 12-10 in favor of the Talons, Klingler tied it 12-12 in the sixth with a two-run single for the Blaze. Now, the score’s 12-12 entering the seventh inning with each team looking to pull away.
A Game Fans Will Not Soon Forget at Jim Frost Stadium
In the end, the bat of Sydney Romero called game in the top of the inning. Romero added two RBIs with a home run to left field, giving the Talons a 14-12 lead and the win. It was a team effort for the Talons with five players registering at least five RBIs. Looking at the Blaze, Klingler did all she could with her seven-RBI day at plate.
Five players had two+ hits for the Blaze: Klingler, Gold, Gibson Whorton, Otis, and Aliyah Andrews. Montana Fouts notched her second save of the AUSL season as Raelin Chaffin got the win in relief. On a personal level, this is a game where either team should have won and fans who love offense came away happy with a combined 29 hits and 26 runs.
Game 10: Another Close One Between the Talons and Blaze
Given what saw in the first game between the Talons and Blaze, the bats didn’t quite cool in the first inning. To begin, Flippen and Ally Shipman-Shrout each hit a pair of two-run singles to give the Talons the 4-0 lead. Gibson Whorton closed the gap with a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning for the Blaze, making it a 4-3 game. Caroline Jacobsen added to the Talons’ lead with a two-run homer in the top of the third, but Kayla Kowalik scored on a throwing error for the Blaze as the game is now 6-4.
Aguilar slammed a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning as Gibson Whorton hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. For Gibson Whorton, she had a five-RBI day at the plate. Ultimately, the Blaze came up short as the Talons get another close win by a 7-6 score. Fouts picked up the win for the Talons after going six innings, allowing five hits with five strikeouts.
It’s important to note that the right-hander made AUSL history as the first pitcher to have a win and a save on the same day. Megan Faraimo got her first save of the season in the win.
Game 11: Brooms On Display at McMurray Park
Moving down to Louisiana, the Volts needed a win to avoid a sweep against the Bandits. However, the Bandits offense had other plans. In the case, all of the actions took place in the first two innings of this game.
Firstly, a four-run first innings as Erin Coffel, Bubba Nickles-Camarena, Devyn Netz, and Sarah Willis had RBIs. A Morgan Zerkle solo homer and Skylar Wallace scoring on a throwing error in the second inning added the final runs of the game.
The 6-0 win by the Bandits completed the first series sweep in the young history of the AUSL. Willis got her first win of the season, going four inning and allowing four runs hits. Lefty Taylor McQuillin picked up the save as she went three innings, allowing no hits with six strikeouts.
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