In the end, the old adage indeed proved true: Great pitching stops great hitting.
At least that was the case in the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League Championship presented by Sephora, in which the Bandits were swept two games to none by the Talons in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Bandits boasted the AUSL’s best offense during the 24-game regular season, but that offense was stymied in the Championship series, with the Talons scoring 3-1 and 1-0 victories in two taut, textbook postseason games.
In the second game on Sunday, the Bandits fell victim to former University of Alabama star Montana Fouts, who pitched a complete-game shutout, giving up five hits while walking two and striking out seven.
“I feel like this was an unfortunate way to end it because it just wasn’t the offense we put up all year,” said Bandits Head Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz. “Hats off to Montana. She did what she needed to do to keep us at bay. But this game doesn’t define our season. It doesn’t define our team.
“And at the end of the day, I’m really proud of the season we put together. I’m proud of the culture that we built. I’m proud of the relationships that were made and forged and strengthened. I was happy to see a handful of our players watching the (Talons’) celebration because they know it’s something they want. You’ve got to feel that feeling of disappointment a little bit and light the fire for the future. I’m proud to be a Bandit. I’m proud of our group. Just fell short today.”
Here is how it went for the Bandits during a weekend in which the Bandits and Talons dodged the raindrops while playing some great postseason softball:
Missed chances and free passes
Game 1 of the AUSL Championship Series was delayed 1 hour and 51 minutes at the start because of rain and lightning, and suspended after a 37-minute rain delay in the sixth inning on Saturday.
The Bandits broke on top 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Bubba Nickles-Camerena. Talons first baseman Tori Vidales tied the game in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff home run against Bandits starting pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl, who gave up four hits and one run in four innings.
Nuveman Deniz turned to lefty Emiley Kennedy for the fifth inning, and Kennedy walked Sierra Sacco to start the inning and hit Maya Brady with a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt by Sydney Romero, Caroline Jacobsen drove in a run on a fielder’s choice groundout, and Vidales hit a sacrifice fly.
The Talons scored two runs in the inning without a hit.
“We had opportunities,” Nuveman Deniz said. “We just couldn’t cash in with runners in scoring position. But also, we can’t give free passes, right? The free passes killed us all year long, and they did again. They scored two runs with no hits in that inning. Kudos to them for doing the little things.”
The Bandits were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners.
Nuveman Deniz said she had no qualms about lifting Kilfoyl.
“It’s an exposure thing,” she said. “We’re trying to limit the exposure, the number of times that these hitters see these pitchers in a row. It’s just being creative with how we mix and match them. I have no regrets about the matchups. It’s probably more of the execution piece, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to do both. We’ve got to have smart, intelligent matchups, and then we have to execute in those moments. She got out of the inning and didn’t give up a hit, but three runs. That’s what happens when you offer up free passes.”
Bandits give their all but fall short
Nuveman Deniz turned to lefty Taylor McQuillin to start Game 2, and the veteran did not disappoint. McQuillin looked fired up from the start as she retired the Talons in order in the first two innings while striking out three.
“Big time,” Nuveman Deniz said. “She absolutely rose to the occasion. I’m really proud of how she commanded the strike zone. She worked at various speeds. Honestly, that was as good as she’s pitched. You talk about peaking at the right time. I think the last couple of outings for her have been outstanding. We saw the Taylor McQuillin and knew what she had in her at the end of the season. What more can a coach ask for than that, to bring her best when the best is required?”
The game was delayed by rain in the top of the fifth inning for an hour and 25 minutes. The Bandits stranded two runners in the bottom of the inning, and the game’s only run came in the top of the sixth, when Romero hit a solo homer off Kilfoyl, who suffered the loss after McQuillin pitched four innings and gave up one hit.
The Bandits had a chance in the bottom of the seventh, when Nickles-Camarena led off with a single to left-center. But Mary Iakopo lined into a double play when Vidales caught the ball and tagged first base to double off Nickles-Camarena. Bella Dayton was called out on strikes to end the game and the series.
“Bad luck,” Nuveman Deniz said. “A line drive straight to the first baseman. Obviously she (Vidales) is a savvy player. Immediately goes back and doubles up Bubba. It was a well-hit ball. Unfortunate circumstance. Unfortunate location. That’s how the game goes sometimes.”
For the series, the Bandits outhit the Talons 13-6 but ultimately came up short.
“It was a one-run game,” Nuveman Deniz said. “First of all, we’re not going to win many games not scoring. No. 2, it’s one swing of the bat. That’s how this game can be sometimes. It can be very unforgiving. One pitch that Lexi would love to have back. Tip your cap to Syd Romero getting the job done, and Montana just shut the door. Great job on their part. They earned it today.”
Bruce Miles has covered sports in the Chicago area for 46 years, including baseball, hockey, football and Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball. He covered the Chicago Cubs in their historic run to the World Series title in 2016. He has written stories for Athletes Unlimited since 2020. Follow Bruce on Bluesky @brucemiles2112.bsky.social and X @brucemiles2112
