With the backdrop of Wilkins Field in Wichita, Kansas, the softball action was all about the bats as the first game in Norman, Oklahoma gave a great show. As the season is pulling into the halfway point, stars are emerging while the veteran presence still looms. That being said, here is a recap of the last three matchups in Wichita and the first one in Norman.
Game 17: The Bats Hooked In At Wilkins Stadium
Here, the Bandits faced the Talons, looking for another win as the offense started early. Erin Coffel hit an RBI double to give the Bandits an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Talons responded in the bottom of the second with four runs. First, Caroline Jacobsen hit an RBI double to put the Talons on the board. Afterwards, Ally Shipman-Shrout slammed a two-run home run while Jadelyn Allchin hit a solo homer for the 4-1 lead. Yet, it would be the final runs for the Talons in the game.
Morgan Zerkle added another run for the Bandits in the top of the third with a homer and a pair of RBIs with a single in the fourth. In all, Zerkle had three RBIs at the plate. Finally, Coffel cleared the bases in the sixth inning with a grand slam to left center, giving her five RBIs on the day.
The Talons got the 8-4 win, splitting the two games versus the Talons. Lexi Kilfoyl won her third game of the season, going three innings as she allowed three hits with three strikeouts.
Game 18: Another Major Offensive Charge
Keeping in line from the previous game, the Blaze and Volts game was all about the batting. In this case, the Volts opened the bottom of the first inning with six runs. For starters, Tiare Jennings hit an RBI double for run No. 1 of the game.
What’s more, Jessi Warren, Sis Bates, Danieca Coffey, and Amanda Lorenz had RBIs while Sam Show scored on a fielding error. All of the Blaze offense took place in the top of the second with RBI singles by Taylor Edwards in the top of the second and Danielle Gibson Whorton in the third. As for the Volts, Warren added another RBI in the fourth as Jennings went yard in the sixth to make it 9-2.
That would be the final score as Sam Landry got her first professional softball win after going three innings. Landry allowed an earned run on five hits with a strikeout in the victory.
Game 19: More Bandits Runs? No Problem
All things considered, the Bandits offense is powerful and unrelenting, which was bad news for the Blaze. Despite a scoreless softball game over the first two innings, it would change in the top of the third thanks to the Bandits. Bella Dayton began the charge with an RBI single to left center and Delanie Wisz scoring on a throwing error. Finally, Sydney McKinney closed the offense in their half of third with a two-run single, getting the 4-0 lead.
Following up their offense from the third, the Bandits added six more runs in the fourth. Zerkle and Devyn Netz each had two RBIs as McKinney and Skylar Wallace had an RBI apiece in the inning. Also, Netz would hit her first homer of the season in the fifth as the Bandits rolled to an 11-2 win in a run-rule game.
The pair of lefty Taylor McQuillin and righty Sarah Willis allowed a combined one hit, two runs, and sat down four batters.
Game 20: A Close One In Norman
The first Athletes Unlimited Softball League game took place at Love’s Field on Friday between the Talons and Volts. Without question, fans in Norman, Oklahoma witnessed a competitive game. The Talons scored two runs in the top of the first. Firstly, Jacobsen and Tori Vidales each drove in a run for the 2-0 lead Additionally, Hannah Flippen crossed the plate on a throwing error to make a 3-0 game in favor of the Talons.
Looking at the Volts, the offense came from Rachel Garcia with a home run in the bottom of the fifth and a sacrifice fly RBI in the seventh. On top of that, Garcia went five innings in the circle while allowing two hits and striking out four. However, the Talons would get 3-2 victory as Raelin Chaffin gets the win and Megan Faraimo picks up her second save.
You can follow me on Twitter. Also, follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of sports.
