Without question, the 2024 AUX Softball season is on track to be one of the best ones in the league’s history. As mentioned before, the rookies have been making their mark as Jocelyn Alo is leading the way. The doubleheader at Wilkins Stadium showed just how competitive these players are with some great finishes. That being said, here is a recap of Games Nine and Ten of Series Two.
Game Nine: Rookie Captains Going Head-to-Head in AUX Softball
Besides Alo, three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference star at Clemson, McKenzie Clark, has shown off her talents in AUX this season. She and Alo faced off as first-time team captains to open the doubleheader. Team Clark began the scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single by Jessi Warren and a sacrifice fly RBI by Sam Fischer. Aubrey Leach added another run for Clark’s squad in the second with an RBI single to left field.
After a scoreless third, Alo’s squad found the scoreboard with RBIs by Tori Vidales and Jordan Roberts in the top of the fourth. However, Fischer would add two more runs thanks to a single for Clark’s team in the bottom half. Another run came as Vidales was walked, scoring Haylie McCleney in the fifth. Yet, Team Clark responded with Kalei Harding knocking in two runs with a double in the sixth. Clark’s squad held a 7-3 lead going into the seventh.
Team Alo made it close as Megan Wiggins and Alo went back-to-back with homers. Wiggins slammed a two-run homer while Alo’s was a solo shot. In the end, Payton Gottshall notched her second save of the season as Team Clark survived by a score of 7-6. Wiggins took home MVP1 honors, Leach MVP2 honors, Alo MVP3 honors, and Clark was the Defensive MVP.
back-to-back jacks for @TheMeganWiggins and @78jocelyn_alo 💣💣#AUProSB | 📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/8O9G1FiRQP
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) June 18, 2024
It is important to note that veteran pitcher Aleshia Ocasio picked up her 17th victory in Athletes Unlimited Softball in the game. The win gives her the most of any pitcher in the league’s history.
Game 10: Early Offense and Pitching Close Out the Doubleheader
This time, Clark’s team would play two as they face Taylor Edwards and her squad who lost two straight coming into the matchup. The offense started at the top of the first inning as Delanie Wisz once again went yard with a three-run homer for Team Edwards. For Team Clark, they responded with a pair of RBI singles from Nadia Taylor and Billie Andrews in the bottom of the frame.
THIRD STRAIGHT GAME WITH A BOMB@delanieewisz | 📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/5eIyKUzf0V
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) June 18, 2024
Andrews tied the game in the third inning with a sacrifice fly RBI. The winning run came in the fourth inning with a Bubba Nickles sacrifice fly. The final score was 4-3 in favor of Team Edwards. All things considered, the pitching was a big factor in this game. Lefty Alyssa Denham threw a complete game for Edwards’ squad, allowing three runs on ten hits with three strikeouts.
Denham took home 40 points as she was the MVP2 of the game. Wisz and Taylor were the MVP1 and MVP3, respectively. Lastly, Hannah Flippen got the Defensive MVP honors.
You can follow me on Twitter. Also, follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of sports.
