As the final games of the 2024 AUX Softball are quickly approaching, it has been a season that fans witnessing it all at Wilkins Stadium won’t soon forget. The future of softball looks to be in good hands, given the efforts of the rookies in this double-header. However, the veteran presence is still in the mix, making the competition even better. That being said, here is a recap of Games Fifteen and Sixteen in Series Three.
Game Fifteen: The Ball Went “Alo” and Good-Bye in AUX Softball
Photo Credit: Jade Hewitt/Athletes Unlimited
Looking at this matchup, Jocelyn Alo‘s team entered with a one-run loss to open Series Three. For Bubba Nickles‘ squad, adding another win was on the agenda. The first came on an RBI for Haley Lee via a walk to give Team Nickles a lead in the top of the first. Yet, Team Alo responded with a sacrifice fly RBI by Taylor Edwards in the bottom of the inning.
The game was scoreless until the fifth inning as Kelsey Stewart-Hunter knocked in a pair of runs with a single. Once again, Alo’s squad answered but with a five-run inning. Firstly, McKenzie Clark hit a two-run homer to left-center field to tie the game at three runs apiece. One batter later, Alo slammed a two-run shot of her own to give her team a 5-3 lead. Lastly, Julia Cottrill got an RBI with a walk to make it a 6-3 game.
BIG TIME BOMBS 💣 @mac_clark_7 ties it up and @78jocelyn_alo gives her team the lead!#AUProSB | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/mR7ZpNFdEQ
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) June 23, 2024
For the second time, Alo went deep with another two-run blast while Haylie McCleney went yard with a solo shot in the sixth inning. It is important to note that Alo’s second homer landed her in the record books. It was the former Sooner star’s sixth homer this season, setting the Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball AUX single-season record.
A Comeback Effort by Team Nickles Comes Up Short
Nickles’ team added two runs in the seventh with RBIs from Lee and Billie Andrews but it was not enough. Team Alo got their first win of the series by a 9-5 score in a game that saw an AU Pro Softball AUX single-game mark of 19 walks. Alo and Clark took home MVP 1 and 2 honors, respectively as Sarah Willis was the MVP 3. The former UCF righty threw four-and-two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on two hits with six strikeouts.
Game Sixteen: A “Penta” Perfect Effort in AUX Softball
Photo Credit: Jade Hewitt/Athletes Unlimited
All things considered, this game between Alo’s squad and Mariah Mazon‘s team saw the focus on the circle and a game-changing at-bat. Here, the offense did not get underway until the third inning as Tori Vidales decided to knock in all her teammates with a grand slam for Team Mazon. The grand slam was the fourth one of the 2024 AUX Softball season, setting a new record for a single season.
GRAND SLAM 💣 @vidalestori’s parents are in town and she’s SHOWING OUT#AUProSB | 📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/iCTEPlGQRH
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) June 24, 2024
Vidales added another RBI in the fifth inning with a double as Jordan Roberts knocked in a run with a single to center field. Team Alo finally got on the scoreboard with an RBI double by the team captain. Additionally, Vidales would have another RBI in the seventh inning along with an RBI single by Andrea Filler to close out the scoring. The 8-1 win gave Team Mazon their second victory of this series.
For Vidales, her six RBIs tied the all-time mark for the most in a single game in league history, winning MVP 1 honors. While Filler was the MVP 3, pitcher Maddie Penta was the MVP 2 as the righty looked lights-out in the circle. Penta went six innings, allowing three hits, and a run, sitting down two batters.
an incredible outing today for @maddiepenta 👏#AUProSB x @AuburnSoftball pic.twitter.com/EZpdmzgaNx
— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball) June 24, 2024
With one doubleheader remaining, the leaderboard sees six players within 300 points of each other and the top three under 200 points. It is all lining up for an exciting finish as the series finale takes place on June 25th at Wilkins Field in Wichita. One thing is for sure: a champion will be crowned.
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