All in all, the talent in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League is nothing short of phenomenal. In fact, some players are making their case for the All-Star Cup taking place later this summer. The action in the most recent series of games reminded fans of how good the pitching is. That being said, here is a recap of the games for the week.
Carolina Blaze Vs. Chicago Bandits
In Game One, Chicago got on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI groundout by Tianna Bell. The top of the third saw Carolina take the lead with RBIs via fielder’s choice by Ana Gold and Kayla Kowalik. Next, Sami Williams hit a two-run homer in the top of the third for the Bandits.
However, the Blaze tied the game as Aubrey Leach slammed a solo home run in the top of the fifth. An RBI single by Taryn Kern in the bottom of the fifth gave Chicago a 4 – 3 lead they would not relinquish.
Game Two at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex was a complete 180 as it was Carolina versus Chicago. Reese Atwood had herself a game for the Blaze with a three-run shot in the first inning along with a RBI triple in the fifth. Kowalik added a pair of RBI singles as the Blaze shut out the Bandits 8 – 0 in five innings. Right-hander Karlyn Pickens tossed the shoutout, allowing one hit with five strikeouts.
Game Three (Carolina Blaze Vs. Chicago Bandits)
Both squads were in search of a victory Chicago wasted no time in the first inning. First, Morgan Zerkle scored on a wild pitch while Jocelyn Erickson had an RBI via a walk in the inning. Afterwards, Williams hit an RBI triple and Mary Iakopo added an RBI single in the second for the Bandits.
Lastly, Williams hit a sacrifice fly RBI in the fourth to wrap up the Chicago offense. The lone run for Carolina came in the top of the seventh thanks to an RBI walk by Gold. In the end, the Bandits got the 5 – 1 win over the Blaze. For Chicago, Amber Fiser allowed a run on four hits and sat down four batters in seven innings of work.
Utah Talons Vs. Texas Volts
Here in Game One, Utah found the scoreboard in the top of the first with a Bri Ellis RBI single. In the bottom of the inning, Texas took the lead with an RBI double by Jaydyn Goodwin and an Aliyah Binford RBI single.
A Kailey Wyckoff RBI double for the Talons in the third tied the game 2 – 2. Utah would take a 4 – 2 lead in the fifth with a pair of RBI doubles by Jadelyn Allchin and Jordan Woolery. Although Tiare Jennings hit a solo homer in the seventh, it was not enough for the Volts as the Talons got the 4 – 3 win. Ace pitcher Montana Fouts sat down 12 Volts batters in a complete game performance for the Talons.
Shifting to the second game of the series, Utah’s offense and pitching were on display. Ellis led off the scoring for the Talons with an RBI single in the first. The second inning saw Caroline Jacobsen go deep with a solo home run for Utah. While Binford’s homer in the fourth cut into the deficit for the Volts, the Talons kept the bats going.
Solo homers by Tayler Biehl and Sahvanna Jaquish in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, made it a 5 – 1 game. A groundout by Ellis in inning number seven put a button on the scoring as Utah won 6 – 1. In this case, another Talons pitcher threw a complete inning as it was Megan Faraimo in this matchup. Faraimo allowed five hits, an earned run, and had five strikeouts in the victory.
Game Three (Utah Talons Vs. Texas Volts)
For the Volts, they looked to avoid a sweep against the Talons and an end to the losing streak. To conclude, neither one of those things happened at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the finale. Wyckoff hit three RBIs, Aliyah Andrews had two as Jacobsen, Jaquish, and Jordan Woolery each drove in a run as Utah completed the sweep 8 – 0.
Once again, the Talons had another complete game effort in the circle. This time, it was rookie right-hander Taylor Tinsley as she allowed eight hits with three strikeouts in the win.
Oklahoma City Spark Vs. Portland Cascade
On this occasion, these are the two newest squads in Athletes Unlimited Softball. They faced off Hillsboro Ballpark in Hillsboro, Oregon. Game One was all about the circle as the offense was limited. After a scoreless opening inning,
Portland drove in two runs with an RBI single by Kendra Falby and a ground rule RBI double by Korbe Otis. Finally, Tori Vidales slammed a solo home run to round out the offense for the game, winning 3 – 0. The Cascade got themselves a complete game shutout by righty Sam Landry. Landry struck out five, allowing just four hits.
Looking at Game Two, Oklahoma City found the offensive spark versus Portland. In any event, Sydney Romero and her three RBIs, including a two-run homer, led the way.
What’s more, Sydney Sherrill scored on a fielding error, Amari Harper hit an RBI double, and Maya Brady went yard for the Spark. The lone run for the Cascade came off a solo home run by rookie Megan Grant in the sixth inning, making it a 6 – 1 win for the Spark.
Game Three (Oklahoma City Spark Vs. Portland Cascade)
Without doubt, the finale of this series was back-and-forth between Oklahoma City and Portland. The Cascade put up three runs in bottom of the second. Rookie Kenleigh Cahalan hit an RBI double to left center, Grant hit an RBI single, and Otis plated on a passed ball.
Equally important, the Spark closed the gap with a Romero RBI single and a Delanie Wisz RBI via a walk in the third inning. Even more, Brady would tie the game 3 – 3 in the fifth with another homer.
Ultimately, Bubba Nickles – Camarena gave Oklahoma City the lead in the seventh with an RBI single. As a matter of fact, that would be the game-winner as the Spark win it 4 – 3.
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