ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SOFTBALLAMERICA.COM (Photo courtesy of Jade Hewitt/Athletes Unlimited)
Amanda Lorenz’s two-run home run was all Team Denham needed to win game one and the powerful bats from Team Svekis propelled the ‘Blue’ team to a massive win over Team Alexander in game two.
Team Denham 2, Team Romero 1
Another day, more phenomenal pitching from Athletes Unlimited. Through the first two innings, it looked to be another pitcher’s duel with Rachel Garcia dominating in her 2024 Athletes Unlimited debut and Taylor McQuillin putting up a fight with three strikeouts.
Team Romero finally got through McQuillin in the third inning when McKenzie Clark singled through the left side. Sierra Romero used a runner on to her advantage and singled up the middle to score Clark.
Team Denham didn’t waste any time to storm back though. Morgan Zerkle started the inning with a double to center field and then Amanda Lorenz went first-pitch swinging on a curveball to send a two-run home run soaring to right field. Skylar Wallace contributed to the electric inning with a single to center field, adding her first career hit with Athletes Unlimited.
The defense was great behind Garcia with tough caught line drives and fly balls, especially by Clark who flew over the fence in foul territory for an incredible grab in right field.
.@mac_clark_7: 1fence: 0 😏#AUProSB| 📺 ESPN+pic.twitter.com/tIy00PrRPf— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball)July 27, 2024
Valerie Cagle made her professional debut in relief of McQuillin and collected one strikeout. Sarah Willis came in after Cagle to grab her first save of her professional career. Team Romero came very close to tying in the sixth and seventh with runners in scoring position but could not make any magic happen.
MVP honors were given to Lorenz (340 total points), Willis (316 total points), and McQuillin (362 total points).
Team Svekis 8, Team Alexander 4
Pitching looked a bit different in the second game of the day with Mariah Mazon and Georgina Corrick working through some early struggles. Team Alexander found themselves on the board first after Corrick allowed two runners on and Aubrey Leach capitlized with a single to score Josie Muffley.
that’s an RBI single for@aubrey_lynne10😎#AUProSBpic.twitter.com/qMv6fQSMHo— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball)July 27, 2024
Mazon continued to fumble in the zone during the third, allowing Team Svekis to wake up the bats. Jessi Warren singled to right field to score Aliyah Andrews to tie the game. Sharlize Palacios shot a double to center field to score two more. Sis Bates singled to shortstop for another RBI, advancing the lead by three.
rookie who???#AUProSB| 📺 ESPN+pic.twitter.com/JDTNB8fBBM— AU Pro Softball (@auprosoftball)July 27, 2024
Peyton St. George came in for relief of Corrick and allowed a single and a walk. Sam Fischer singled for an RBI and put Team Alexander back in the game, but Team Svekis quickly shut that down in the fourth. Warren doubled to center field scoring Hannah Flippen and Andrews.
Kayla Beaver made her professional debut after Mazon exited the mound and kept Team Svekis quiet until the sixth inning. Victoria Hayward crushed a triple down the right field line to score Andrews followed by Flipped crushing a single down the right field line to add an insurance run to the board.
With Kathryn Sandercock entering the circle, Team Alexander attempted to break through one last time in the bottom of the sixth. Captain Odicci Alexander and Sydney McKinney both added a pair of RBIs, but that was the last of scoring for the ‘Gold’ team.
MVP honors were given to Andrews (210 total points), Warren (170 total points) and Palacios (290 total points).
Athletes Unlimited Leaderboard
1. Taylor McQuillin – 362 points
2. Amanda Lorenz – 340 points
3. Kelsey Harshman – 340 points
4. Sarah Willis – 316 points
5. Alyssa Denham – 308 points
Sunday Schedule
Team Romero vs. Team Svekis | 2 p.m. ET | ESPN2Team Denham vs. Team Alexander | 4:30 p.m. ET | Bally Sports Regional Networks
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