All things considered, the games in Series Three have been nothing but exciting in one form or another. Four of the six games have been decided by two runs or less, with the other two by four runs or more. Catcher Kayla Kowalik entered the series atop the leaderboard, but the question is did the Kentucky Wildcats remain there? Here is a recap of the final four games of Series Three of the inaugural AUSL Cup.
Game 12: What A Difference An Inning Can Make
Here, pitchers Devyn Netz and Keilani Ricketts faced off as captains of the Purple and Orange teams, respectively. In the top of the second inning, Team Purple put up the first run of the contest with an RBI single by Bella Dayton. However, Team Ricketts answered with three runs in the bottom of the second. Sierra Sacco got the RBI via a walk as Sydney Romero hit a two-run single to give the Orange team 3-1 lead.
Despite an RBI single by Cori McMillan for Team Netz in the top of the sixth, it wasn’t enough for a comeback. The 3-2 victory is another win for the Gold squad and 90 win points as Team Purple won the remaining 40 win points.
Ricketts won MVP 1 honors as she went five-and-a-third innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs, and struck out two. Romero’s two RBIs propelled her to win MVP 2 while Netz was the MVP 3. Netz had two hits and three total bases in the loss. Finally, Dayton was the Defensive MVP of the game.
Game 13: Offensive Back and Forth In Rosemont
Next up, Team Kowalik and Team Blue and their captain Danieca Coffey as the offense got underway quickly. In the bottom of the first, Kowalik hit a solo homer own the right field line while Delanie Wisz added an RBI single. Next, Kowalik would drive home two runs with a single in the bottom of the second. Also in the inning, Aubrey Leach hit an RBI double as Wisz slammed a two-run homer for a dominant 7-0 lead for Team Gold.
Yet, Team Coffey responded with a Sierra Romero home run as it drove in two runs in the top of the third. Aliyah Andrews hit an RBI double in the top of the fourth, making it a 7-3 score. Additionally, Ana Gold‘s hit by pitch drove in a run and Dejah Mulipola made it a 7-5 game with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Coffey’s solo home run in the sixth made it a one-run game. Ultimately, Team Kowalik held on for the 7-6 win and earned 90 win points.
*cue the Rom Bomb* @Sierrajoy32 | 📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/srl5CHKE2V
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) August 26, 2025
Once again, Kowalik won MVP 1 honors with her three RBIs and home run. Although Team Blue came up short, pitcher Rachel Garcia took home MVP 2 honors. Garcia allowed one hit with six strikeouts in four-and-a-third innings work in relief. Si Romero won MVP 3 honors thanks to her two RBIs and home run. Lastly, Gold was the Defensive MVP of the game.
Game 14: A Tight One Down The Stretch
In this game, Team Purple were looking for their first win of Series Three of the AUSL Cup against Team Blue. This game was all about pitching and timely offense as Netz’s squad got on the board first in the top of the second. Morgan Zerkle walked with the based loaded, getting an RBI in the process. Tori Vidales added to the Purple team’s lead with a solo homer to left field in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. For Team Coffey, Danielle Gibson Whorton slammed a two-run home run in the bottom of third to tie the game.
MOM BOMB TIES THE GAME OMG@DanielleGibsonW | 📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/LVBnoFXB9B
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) August 26, 2025
The final run of the game came in the fifth inning via a RBI sacrifice fly from Anissa Urtez, giving Team Netz the 3-2 lead and the win. They won 120 of the 130 win points. Netz hit two doubles and won MVP 1 honors. MVP 2 honors went to pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl, going three innings in relief while picking up her first save of the AUSP Cup. Kilfoyl allowed three hits and struck out three.
Catcher Taylor Edwards had two hits in three at-bats, garnering MVP 3 honors as Sydney McKinney was the Defensive MVP. Both teams ended Series Three with a 1-2 record.
Game 15: Early Offense In The Series Three Finale
Last but not least, Kowalik and the Gold squad looked for a sweep of the week versus Ricketts and Team Orange. Bubba Nickles-Camarena gave Team Ricketts the early lead with an RBI double in the top of the second. All of the offense for Team Gold came in the bottom of the second with five runs.
Firstly, Jessi Warren hit an RBI single while Victoria Hayward added two RBIs with a double. Amanda Lorenz concluded the inning with a two-run homer to left center. Team Gold won all 130 win points with the 5-1 victory.
ARE YOU NOT EXCITED?!?!@amandalorenz18 absolutely mashed this ball to left center 💥
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) August 27, 2025
📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/7zcGeI9044
MVP 1 honors went to pitcher Georgina Corrick as she threw her first complete game of the AUSL Cup. She struck out nine batters, allowing seven hits in the win. What’s more, Lorenz with her three hits and two RBIs, garnering MVP 2 honors. Hayward and her two RBIs was good enough for taking home MVP 3 honors. Kowalik took home another honor as the Defensive MVP.
Team Captains For The Final Series Of The Inaugural AUSL Cup
Once again, Kowalik sits atop the leaderboard and will captain Team Gold in Series Four with 1,360 total points. She leads the way in MVP points (300) and win points (820). Erin Coffel, the Hitter of the Year award winner is second with 966 points, leading the Orange squad.
Taking the helm of the Blue team will be Garcia, who leads the AUSL Cup in ERA (0.63), complete games (two) and has the lone shutout. The final captain will be Ricketts (880 total points), who edged out Netz by 12 points (868 total points) and will lead Team Purple.
A new champion will be crowned 👀👑
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) August 27, 2025
here are your Series 4 rosters 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Mb61DgiiA6
The action gets underway on Aug 29 on ESPN+ at Rosemont in a doubleheader as Team Garcia will face Team Coffel and Team Kowalik faces off against Team Ricketts. When the dust settles, a champion will be crowned.
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