Without a doubt, the AU Softball Championship Season is always delivering something for the fans. Games Three and Four were no exception as sound pitching, great offense, and even defense were on full display. That being said, let’s recap the doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois.
Game Three: Offense Coming at a Premium in AU Softball
Here, Sydney Romero and Team Purple faced off against Alyssa Denham and Team Orange as both teams are coming off wins on Opening Day. Following a scoreless two innings, Sierra Romero got the Purple squad on the board in the third inning with an RBI single.
Team Denham would take the lead in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer by Amanda Lorenz. Ultimately, the game would see no more runs cross the plate as Team Orange picked up the 2-1 win.
mandy softball unleashed on that one😮💨#AUProSB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/FygafcOzuN
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) July 27, 2024
In the circle for Denham’s squad, lefty Taylor McQuillin started the first three innings. McQuillin allowed the lone run while allowing two hits and striking out three. Next, rookie right-hander Valerie Cagle threw a scoreless fourth inning as Sarah Willis notched her first professional save. Willis threw the final three innings, allowing just one hit.
It was a clean sweep in the MVP awards for Team Denham as Lorenz, McQuillin, and Willis were the MVP 1, 2, and 3 respectively. For Lorenz and McQuillin, it was the 11th Game MVP award of their AU Pro Softball Championship Season careers. Also, veteran catcher Sashel Palacios took home Defensive MVP honors.
Game Four: Hitting on Full Display to Cap the Doubleheader
Unlike the previous game, the matchup between Gwen Svekis and the Blue Team and Odicci Alexander and Team Gold were teams looking for a win. Aubrey Leach helped the Gold squad take the early lead with an RBI single to left field in the second inning.
However, Svekis’ team took control in the top of the third inning with four runs crossing the plate. Jessi Warren knocked in a run, rookie Sharlize Palacios hit a two-run double to center field, and Sis Bates capped the inning with an RBI single.
that’s an RBI single for @aubrey_lynne10 😎#AUProSB pic.twitter.com/qMv6fQSMHo
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) July 27, 2024
The bottom of the inning saw Sam Fischer score Bubba Nickles with a single in the bottom of the frame. Warren added two more RBIs in the fourth inning a double to give Team Blue a 6-2 lead. In the sixth inning, Victoria Hayward and Hannah Flippen each added an RBI for Svekis’ team as Alexander and Sydney McKinney scored for Team Gold. Team Svekis would get the win by a score of 8-4.
Aliyah Andrews won MVP 1 honors with her three-hit effort at the plate for Team Svekis. Warren and Palacios would garner MVP 2 and 3 honors for their performances.
You can follow me on Twitter. Also, follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of sports.
