In light of the recent offense in AU Softball, the pitching has been fierce in its own right. As a matter of fact, four runs were scored combined in the final two games of Week Four. What’s more, these games marked the first back-to-back shutout games in AU Softball history. Without question, the pitching was on point from start to finish. Without further ado, let’s recap games twenty-three and twenty-four of AU Softball.
Game Twenty-Three: Denham and Garcia throw gems in a 1-0 win by Team Chidester over Team Jaquish
All things considered, if you’re a fan of great defense and excellent pitching, this was the game for you. First, Alyssa Denham tossed a three-hit shutout for Amanda Chidester’s squad as she went the distance. How spectacular was Denham? She didn’t allow her first hit until the sixth inning after a double by Morgan Zerkle.
We're still not over this performance by Alyssa Denham 🤩
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) August 23, 2022
Her command in the circle was certainly deserving of our Play of the Week honors 👏#BeUnlimited | Fueled by @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/yE8AJWYodz
The other two hits came off the bats of Bubba Nickles and Rachel Garcia (more on her shortly). For Denham, it was her first career complete game in AU Softball as she struck out five hitters. The right-hander was the game’s MVP 1 thanks to her stellar performance.
Sahvanna Jaquish’s squad had a great effort in the circle by Garcia as she also went the distance. Garcia allowed five hits while sitting down nine and gave the lone run of the game, an RBI double by Kelsey Harshman in the seventh inning.
Dealin' 🔥@raaaccchhheeell racked up 9⃣ Ks in yesterday's contest 😤#BeUnlimited | #AUSB pic.twitter.com/WALDJ1IBV9
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) August 22, 2022
In addition, it was Garcia’s second complete game this season. Garcia earned MVP 3 honors as Harshman garnered MVP 2 honors.
Game Twenty-Four: McQuillin and Saile lead Team Mulipola in victory over Team McCleney 3 – 0
Similar to what we saw in the previous matchup, the circle saw a pair of great arms dominate. For Dejah Mulipola’s team, Taylor McQuillin and Shannon Saile combined for a one-hit shutout. For McQuillin, she’s given up just three hits over the last 10 innings, including the lone hit in this game.
Shannon Saile and @taybeezzyyy dominated in the circle today 😤
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) August 21, 2022
Saile: 3 IP // 1 K // 0 Hits
McQuillin: 4 IP // 5 K // 1 Hit#BeUnlimited | #AUSB pic.twitter.com/RDGnH3die5
That hit was by Shannon Rhodes, who’s the only player to have a hit in every game this season. McQuillin and Saile earned MVP 1 and MVP, respectively for their efforts.
LILLI. PIPER.
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) August 21, 2022
Another day, another defensive gem from @PiperSwiper 🤯#SCTop10 | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/MiSIjJL0iE
The offense from Mulipola’s team came from an RBI single by Erika Piancastelli and a two-run homer by Mulipola. As for Haylie McCleney’s team, pitcher Danielle O’Toole threw her season-leading fourth complete game in the loss.
Chance for a Champion
Entering the final week of the season, Mulipola holds a 98-point lead over Chidester as Denham and McCleney are in the hunt. In total, 146 points separate these four players on the leaderboard. Can Mulipola hold them off? We’ll see as Week Five gets underway to crown a champion.
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