Catcher Kayla Kowalik could not have mastered the Athletes Unlimited Softball League All-Star Cup’s unique format any better than she did in Series 1 of the 2025 season.
With captains creating the roster and new teammates coming together in just a few days, it can be particularly challenging for pitchers and catchers.
Kowalik was paired with pitcher Rachel Garcia for the first time in their careers, but the two looked like a seasoned battery together.
“I followed her the entire time, I think I only shook her twice,” Garcia said following a complete game one-hit shutout on Saturday, guiding Team Lorenz to a 1-0 victory. She was incredibly efficient, throwing only 84 total pitches. Out of the 22 batters she faced, Garcia struck out two, forced nine to ground out, and nine to fly out.
“We spent more time talking than actually having a bullpen,” Garcia said about their practice the day before the outing.
“For me, it was a lot of stress figuring out what she likes, her tendencies,” Kowalik added. “She’s a great pitcher, and I love to work with everything she has for the different hitters. We talked about their lineup. A lot of them probably had elevated ball swings, but her best stuff is going to beat anybody any day.”
It was a scoreless game until the top of the fifth inning when Kowalik doubled to plate outfielder Amanda
Lorenz for the game’s only run.
And that wasn’t the only time Kowalik came in clutch offensively for Team Lorenz. On Monday, the team fell behind 2-1 in the fourth inning to Team Ocasio. In the bottom of the seventh, Garcia doubled to score Danieca Coffey from first.
Bri Ellis was hit by a pitch before Lorenz was intentionally walked two batters later to load the bases for Kowalik. She slapped a 2-0 pitch through the left side to score the game-winner.
Kowalik currently stands at second overall on the All-Star Cup leaderboard. She was voted an MVP in both games and is tied with Garcia for a league-leading 100 MVP points. She’s also hit two singles and a double for 50 total stat points.
She’ll serve as the Gold Team Captain in Series 2, August 19-21, in Rosemont, Ill.
The AUSL All-Star Cup is a four-series season from Aug. 2 to 31 in which 60 professional softball players compete to become the individual champion utilizing Athletes Unlimited’s innovative format. Teams are hand-picked by the top athletes on the leaderboard each series. Remaining games for the 2025 All-Star Cup will be played in Rosemont, Illinois.
Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on X @savannaecollins.
