Without question, the 2024 Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season has been one to watch. This doubleheader gave the fans at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex a thrilling conclusion and an outstanding pitching effort by a veteran right-hander. That being said, here is a recap of Games 21 and 22 of the Championship Season.
Game 21: Extra Action in This Athletes Unlimted Matchup
Photo Credit: Krystina Brown/Athletes Unlimited
The opening game saw pitcher Megan Faraimo and Team Purple face catcher Sashel Palacios and the Orange. In the bottom of the first, Tori Vidales hit an RBI single to center field for Team Palacios as Morgan Zerkle got an RBI triple in the bottom of the second. Faraimo’s squad got a run on the board in the top of the third with an RBI sacrifice fly by Haylie McCleney.
The game became tied in the sixth as McCleney scored on a fielder’s choice. Neither team plated a run in the seventh, meaning more softball in Rosemont. This marks the third game in this Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season that went to extra innings. Team Purple failed to score in the top half of the eighth as it remained a 2-2 score entering the bottom of the inning.
Zerkle stepped into the batter’s box for Team Orange as teammate Megan Wiggins stood on second base. She would drive in Wiggins as the winning run with a single, giving Team Palacios the 3-2 win.
MORGAN ZERKLE WALKS IT OFF 😤#AUProSB pic.twitter.com/RyEClaDzi5
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) August 17, 2024
Zerkle and Vidales won MVP 1 and MVP 2 honors, respectively and Faraimo won MVP 3. The pitcher went the distance for her team, striking out three. Also, Palacios took home the Defensive MVP honor in the game.
Game 22: A “Golden” Effort To Close the Doubleheader
Photo Credit: Kristin Ostrowski/Athletes Unlimited
Unlike the first game of this doubleheader, this game needed no extra innings between pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl and Team Blue versus outfielder Amanda Lorenz and Team Gold. After a scoreless first inning, Erika Piancastelli gave Team Lorenz an early lead with an RBI sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second.
The Gold Team added to their lead in the fifth inning with RBIs from Sydney Romero and Delanie Wisz. Lorenz’s team closed out the scoring for the game with a two-run double by Piancastelli and an RBI by Lorenz in the sixth. It’s important to note that Lorenz has been captain for the last three shutouts, including this 6-0 victory.
Piancastelli and Romero garnered MVP 2 and 3 honors while teammate Aleshia Ocasio won MVP 1. The 2021 AU Softball Championship Season went five innings, allowing four hits with two strikeouts. Kathryn Sandercock picked up her fourth save of the season, setting the single-season record. Additionally, catcher Gwen Svekis took home Defensive MVP for Team Gold.
game 22 defensive MVP: @gsvekis21 ✨#AUProSB pic.twitter.com/xpk1TngFdy
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) August 17, 2024
The leaderboard saw a massive jump by both Ocasio (six spots) and Faraimo (12 spots). Ocasio now sits in third place as Faraimo is in sixth position.
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