Softball

Athletes Unlimited Softball: Exciting Week One

- by LaDarius Brown
Athletes Unlimited Softball

Season Two of the Athletes Unlimited Softball made its return last Saturday in Rosemont, Illinois at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex. Finally, the enthusiastic crowd was set to witness Opening Day as COVID-19 caused the games to be played in an empty stadium last season. This season began with Team Warren, led by infielder Jessica Warren faced off against Team Hayward, led by outfielder Victoria Hayward. To point out, Warren was the runner-up and Hayward finished third last season.

Opening Day

As has been noted, Team Hayward faced off against Team Warren and Hayward’s squad did not disappoint. Team Hayward won 6-2 as they hit four long balls in the win. Infielder DJ Sanders hit the first dinger of Season Two after Olympian Ali Aguilar got on base after a hit by a pitch by Team Warren’s Danielle O’Toole.

Sanders earned 40 individual points. She got 60 points for being the MVP 1 of the game. In total, Sanders acquired 200 points in this game (100 individual points, 50 points for Team Hayward’s win, and 50 inning points). Also, scoring points were pitcher Aleshia Ocasio as the game’s MVP 2 (40 points). USA Olympian outfielder Amanda Chidester of Team Warren homered and singled to gain MVP 3 honors, gaining 20 points.

The Future of Softball Pitching

Without a doubt, there is a shift on the horizon in softball for pitching. Pitcher Odicci Alexander, who led the James Madison Dukes to the College World Series, started for Team Osterman. She went four innings, allowing three hits, two walks, two runs (one earned), and had three strikeouts. Next, Alexander turned over the ball in the fifth inning to, undeniably, one of the greatest pitchers to ever step into the circle: Cat Osterman.

Presently, Osterman is the defending champion entering this year. She came into the game versus Team Piancastelli, led by catcher Erika Piancastelli, with a 3-1 lead with a runner on first base. She was able to minimize the damage in the inning to a single run, safeguarding the lead. In the end, Team Osterman won 3-2 over Team Piancastelli. Alexander scored 178 points for the game, 40 of which for getting MVP 2 honors.

Infielder Tori Vidales attained MVP 1 honors along with 60 additional points, putting her total to 190. MVP 3 honors went to catcher Sahvanna Jaquish. Fun fact: no home runs were hit in this game, making it just the second game in the history of Athletes Unlimited Softball without a home run.

McQuillin Strikeouts Five in Her Return

During her first year in Athletes Unlimited, pitcher Taylor McQuillin, who pitched for Mexico in the 2020 Tokyo Games, had a rough start. However, she concluded the season with an 8.61 ERA. She went the distance, going seven innings, two walks, one earned run, and five strikeouts. McQuillin racked up a massive 254 points, including 60 for being voted MVP 1 of the game. Led by McQuillin, Team Warren won 3-1 over Team Piancastelli.

Her teammate in Tokyo, catcher Sashel Palacios, got herself 40 more points for MVP 2 honors. Palacios hit a homer in the fourth inning, giving her 40 individual points. Pitcher Carrie Eberle, a part of the 2021 draft class for Athletes Unlimited, won MVP 3 and 20 points for her three and two-thirds innings of two-hit shutout ball for Team Piancastelli.

Cat Shines in the Rain

Facing Team Hayward, it was a rainy day in the Windy City for Osterman. Nonetheless, she came through with a masterpiece. Making history once again, she hurls the first no-hitter in Athletes Unlimited softball history. Osterman allowed one run, which came in the third inning It was the outcome of a walk and a one-out sacrifice fly. Team Osterman won the game 6-1 over Team Hayward.

In her seven innings in the circle, Osterman had two walks, struck out five, and hit a batter. She stood against 25 batters on 97 pitches. Not only did she have the no-hitter, but she also had her 100th strikeout in Athletes Unlimited Softball, which is two years in existence.

It was a close game until the top of the seventh when Team Osterman had four runs, two of which were unearned. Outfielder Aliyah Andrews was the game’s MVP 2, and Vidales, the MVP 3.

Gwen Svekis Walks-Off for Team Hayward

In the first extra-inning game in Athletes Unlimited Softball history, catcher Gwen Svekis drove the pitch from Eberle in center field to win the game 3-2 over Team Piancastelli. Although she has one of the better bats in Athletes Unlimited (.444 batting average), she was set to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Ocasio was on second base in the bottom of the eighth inning. Plus, she had a double earlier on in the game. Luckily, Svekis’ bat did the trick.

Furthermore, she earned 60 points for being voted MVP 1 while Ocasio earned 40 points for being MVP 2. Thanks to her home run in the first inning for Team Hayward, Aguliar won MVP 3.

Team Osterman Outslugs Team Warren

To be clear, if you love offense (and who doesn’t), this was the game for you. The first two innings had Team Osterman up only 2-1. Then, the bottom of the third inning happened. The inning began with Andrews being walked by O’Toole, and the bats came to life after that. Infielder Shelby Pendley walked, bringing in outfielder Haylie McCleney.

Next, catcher Dejah Mulipola hit a three-run triple, infielder Kelsey Stewart and Andrews hit an RBI single. Lastly, McCleney doubled to left and Jaquish blasted a two-run home run. All in all, Team Osterman has themselves a ten-run inning. To sum up, Team Osterman was victorious 15-2 over Team Warren. Infielder Lilli Piper was the MVP 1, McCleney MVP 2, and Jaquish MVP 3. By the way, check out this great defensive play by McCleney in center field:

Week Two Team Captains

Seeing that Team Osterman went 3-0 in Week One, it is right that the captains for Week Two come from this team. Including Osterman (490 points), the team captains are Jaquish (498 points), Vidales (468), and Piper (438).

In summary, if Week Two of Athletes Unlimited is anything like Week One, expect great pitching and plenty of offense.

Follow me on Twitter: @ladarius_brown and read other amazing articles on Beyond Women’s Sports.

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About LaDarius Brown

I'm LaDarius Brown and I'll forever love the Seattle Storm and Sue Bird is my forever GOAT. Big time lover of wrestling and my love for women's sports is lifelong. P.S. I'm a UConn WBB fan (that's a secret between just you and I)

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