Undoubtedly, the second season of AU Softball gave us everything and so much more. Whether it is the rise of new stars or the sunset of legendary ones, this year was an exhilarating ride. At any rate, who would be the season two champion of AU Softball and rookie of the year. To solve those quandaries, let’s recap the fifth and final week of the season.
Game 25: Eberle Goes the Distance
Coupled with being the captain of Team Blue, pitcher Carrie Eberle has been a breakout star this season in AU Softball. For the second consecutive outing, she threw a complete game seven-hitter versus Team Orange, led by Amanda Chidester. Eberle won MVP 1 for her efforts. In the 5-2 win, outfielder Bubba Nickles and infielder Lili Piper each had two RBIs for Team Blue.
In addition, infielder Anissa Urtez added an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning. She was the MVP 3 of the game. The only offense for Team Orange came off the bat of catcher Jordan Roberts with a two-run homer to right-center field in the bottom of the fifth. Roberts was given MVP 2 honors.
Game 26: Team Ocasio Shines Over Team Jaquish
As I have said in previous weeks, Aleshia Ocasio is an absolute talent. No matter what color the jersey (Team Gold this week) she is in, her play remains the same. Ocasio tossed five innings, allowing two hits with five strikeouts, earning MVP 1 honors in the process. Even more, the bats for Team Ocasio showed up again. Beginning in the third inning with infielder Hannah Flippen’s RBI single to score, it was all Team Gold.
Catcher Erika Piancastelli and infielder Amanda Sanchez each had an RBI single in the top of the fourth. Piancastelli also slammed a homer in the top of the seventh. Moreover, outfielder Jazmyn Jackson hit a two-run big fly in the top of the sixth. Jackson went to be the MVP 2 in this contest. Catcher Gwen Svekis had an RBI single in the fifth and the game’s MVP 3. Despite the 7-1 loss, Team Jaquish’s infielder Tori Vidales brought in Odicci Alexander with a single in the bottom of the sixth.
Game 27: A Perfect Ten in a Not So Perfect Game
Unquestionably, this game between Team Jaquish and Team Chidester was everything from an offensive standpoint. Scoring a combined eighteen runs and seven home runs, this game was a classic. Team Purple, led by catcher Sahvanna Jaquish, had homers from infielders Nadia Taylor, Vidales, and Morgan Zerkle. Vidales’ homer was a two-run shot while Taylor earned 60 points and MVP 1 honor.
However, Team Orange had four home runs: two from outfielder Amanda Lorenz and one each from infielder Jessi Warren and Roberts. Lorenz’s performance gave here MVP 2 accolades. Given that the game is Rosemont, Illinois, almost 40 minutes away from Chicago, both teams combined for 23 runs. In any case, these players put on a Jordan-like performance.
The game was tied in the seventh, thanks to the homer by Taylor for Team Purple. Finally, in the ninth inning, an RBI sacrifice fly by shortstop Sydney Romero and an RBI bunt single by Taylor put them up 10-8 for the purple squad. Pitcher Sara Groenewegen was the MVP 3, going three and third innings, giving up three hits, one run with two strikeouts for Jaquish and the Purple team.
Game 28: Ocasio Outstanding in Win over Team Eberle
At this point, I would completely understand if you are fatigued from hearing about Ocasio. If that is the case, my apologies in advance. Team Gold won 5-1 over Eberle and Team Blue behind team captain Ocasio’s five scoreless innings in the circle. She won MVP 2 honors and 40 crucial points. Lefty Haylie Wagner finished off the final two innings for the win.
The bats of Jackson and Sanchez knocked in two RBIs each for Ocasio’s team. Sanchez earned MVP 1 honors with her play in the game. Shifting to Team Eberle, second baseman Ali Aguilar smacked a homer in the seventh for their lone run of the game. Outfielder Victoria garnered MVP 3 honors with her four hits in four at-bats at the plate for Team Blue.
Game 29: Denham Dominant in the Circle
Following another great effort in the circle, righty Alyssa Denham for Team Jaquish looked great in the 6-2 victory win over Team Eberle. Denham went six innings, had two walks, four strikeouts, and allowed four hits. She went on to be the MVP 1 of the game. As for her battery mate, Sashel Palacios received MVP 2 after her home run in the fifth inning, her lone hit of the game. Pitcher Samantha Show and Zerkle each had two RBIs to go with Taylor’s RBI single.
OUTTA THIS WORLD 🤩@seashel_13 breaks the tie in the top of the 5th with a solo shot! #BeUnlimited | 📺: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/LEXgdA0hlM
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) September 28, 2021
In addition, Aguilar had two-run shot over the right-field fence for Team Eberle in the bottom of the sixth, the only runs for Team Blue. She got herself MVP 3 honors in the process. For Eberle, she went five and a third innings in her final game of the AU Softball season.
Game 30: Cat’s Last Ride
For fear that I will forget, Team Chidester won 3-1 over Team Ocasio in the final game of this season. Ocasio is your AU Softball for Season Two Champion. Amanda Chidester, Kelsey Stewart, and Eberle round out the top four of the final leaderboard. However, this night was about Cat Osterman.
Your Athletes Unlimited Softball 2021 Champion 👑@ALESHIAOCASIO pic.twitter.com/AHzUTLeNNf
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) September 28, 2021
In her final game as a professional softball player, she went six and two-thirds innings with six strikeouts along with one hit and one run allowed. When she was pulled out in the bottom of the seventh, all those in attendance gave her a well-deserved round of applause. In fact, I gave her one from the comfort of my home.
On a personal note, seeing one of the absolute best to ever do it was a blessing. As someone who fell in love with softball because of the Team USA softball team in the 2004 Olympics, it is personal. She was instantly this 16-year-old’s favorite softball player. Seeing her in the circle was a thing of magic. On behalf of the 16-year-old me and me right now, thank you Cat for the memories. Your career and talents were (and still are) unlimited.
Awards and Acclaims
Before putting a bow on this final piece for Season Two, AU Softball handed out some well-earned awards and acclaims.
Here they are:
Rookie of the Year: Carrie Eberle (Pitcher)
GEICO Defensive Player of the Year: Infielder Anissa Urtez
Quick with her glove and equipped with a rocket arm, this fearless defender rose above all others in Season 2.
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) September 28, 2021
Congrats to @nniiiss_, your Softball 2021 @geico Defensive Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/cGuYnOgRIf
All-Defensive Team
Outfielders: Amanda Lorenz, Haylie McCleney, and Aliyah Andrews
Corner infielders: Amanda Chidester and Tori Vidales
Middle infielders: Anissa Urtez & Ali Aguilar
Catcher: Gwen Svekis
Pitcher: Aleshia Ocasio
Utility Player: Hannah Flippen
The finest in the field. ✨ Your first-ever Athletes Unlimited Softball All-Defensive Team. pic.twitter.com/LRVhWD1mJZ
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) September 27, 2021
In conclusion, thank you to all of the players in this season’s AU Softball. It was a pleasure to write about all of you and your tremendously gifted skills. All things considered, let’s do this again next year, shall we?
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