The bats returned in games nine and ten after great pitching in game eight of AUX Softball. In games nine and ten, we saw a combined 25 runs scored with some homers to boot. Unquestionably, it was similar to what we saw early on in Series One, with the offense leading the way. That being said, let’s recap games nine and ten of AUX Softball.
Game Nine: Team Mulipola Walks Off with 8–7 Victory over Team Gibson
As I have said, the offense is back and this game had no shortage of it. To begin, outfielder Megan Wiggins hit a solo homer in the first inning for Team Mulipola. Then, moving to the third inning, Mulipola’s squad pulled ahead with six runs in the inning. Infielders Sierra Romero, Lilli Piper, and Tori Vidales each hit an RBI single in the inning. Also, team captain Dejah Mulipola helped her cause with two RBIs and outfielder Nicole Rangel-Mendes added a sacrifice fly RBI.
Down 7–0 in the fourth inning, catcher Sashel Palacios hit a grand slam shot for Team Gibson. The former Arizona State Sun Devil is the first Athletes Unlimited player to hit a grand slam since September 2021.
GRAND SLAM ALERT 🚨@seashel_13 takes one YARD for the first Grand Slam of AUX 🥳#AUX | 📺: ESPNU pic.twitter.com/AYL0i4uHfB
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) June 19, 2022
What’s more, she was the game’s MVP 2 for her efforts. Gibson’s team tied the game at 7-7 after scoring three runs in the fifth. Here, outfielders Jazmyn Jackson and Aliyah Andrews each had an RBI, while Palacios added her fifth RBI as well.
Extra Innings Needed for this Instant Classic
This game became the second extra-inning contest of the AUX Softball and the longest softball game in Athletes Unlimited history. At this point, the game is still tied at seven runs a piece in the eighth inning. With Team Gibson unable to score in their half of the eighth, Mulipola’s team was in a position to win it. Finally, pitcher Rachel Garcia called game as she hit an RBI up the middle to win it for Team Mulipola.
In addition, the silver medalist for Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics garnered MVP 1 honors. Comparatively, pitcher Rachel Fico won MVP 3 honors, allowing an unearned run on three hits in five innings of work.
Game Ten: A Six-Run Third Inning Boosts Team Fischer to a 7-3 Win
In contrast to game nine, this game was decided early as Team Fischer pulled away early. Fischer’s team put up six runs in the third inning after two scoreless innings. Outfielders Shannon Rhodes and Morgan Zerkle each got an RBI in the inning, while designated player DJ Sanders added two. Additionally, infielders Amanda Chidester and Andrea Filler had RBI singles in the third.
BYE BALL 👋
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) June 20, 2022
One pitch was all @vidalestori needed 🤯#AUX | 📺: ESPNU pic.twitter.com/SKQQqyqUR2
Still, in the third inning, Romero had two RBIs for Team Mulipola on a single. Vidales slammed a homer to field for Mulipola’s team in the fourth. Team captain Sam Fischer knocked in a run on a single as that was the final run of the game.
Looking at the MVPs, outfielder Victoria Hayward had three hits for Team Fischer and the game’s MVP 1. Next, southpaw Danielle O’Toole hurled three innings, allowing two hits and struck out two, getting MVP 2 honors. Finally, Fischer got herself MVP 3 honors following a three-hit game.
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