The Quick Story: The Blaze secured the first win in their brief Athletes Unlimited Softball League history after handing the Volts a 3-1 verdict in the series finale at Wilkins Stadium on Monday evening.
Key Moment: After falling behind by a 1-0 margin in the third inning, the Blaze answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Infielder Aubrey Leach evened the score at 1-all when she scored after infielder Danielle Gibson Whorton reached on an error. Infielder Baylee Klingler scored two batters later on a fielder’s choice to give the Blaze a one-run advantage.
Volts Notes
- The Volts initiated a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the sixth frame to review if outfielder Korbe Otis left first base early on a ball put into play by catcher Taylor Edwards … The challenge was unsuccessful after the ruling on the field was upheld.
- After accumulating 24 hits in their first two games, the Volts were limited to just four hits in Monday’s loss, including three singles and a home run.
- The Volts were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position along with a 1-for-8 showing with runners on base.
- The Volts’ top three hitters in the lineup accounted for three of the team’s four hits in Monday’s loss … Outfielder Amanda Lorenz went 1-for-2 with a walk, while infielder Tiare Jennings belted a solo home run in the top of the third inning … Infielder Jessi Warren also posted a 1-for-3 performance.
- Warren and Lorenz each hit safely in all three games during the season-opening series … Infielders Sierra Romero and Kelsey Stewart-Hunter had their brief two-game hitting streaks halted after each failed to record a hit in three at-bats on Monday night.
- Jennings became the second Volts player to hit a home run this season after outfielder McKenzie Clark belted a three-run shot in the season opener on Saturday night.
- Making her professional debut, rookie pitcher Sam Landry took the loss after allowing two runs, including one earned run, on three hits over 4.1 innings with one strikeout.
Next Game: Thursday, June 12 at Bandits (Sulphur, La.) | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
Blaze Notes
- The Blaze initiated a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the fifth inning when infielder Ana Gold was called out at home on a fielder’s choice by Kayla Kowalik … The challenge was unsuccessful after the ruling was upheld.
- The Blaze were 10-for-14 in advancement opportunities in Monday night’s victory.
- After going 0-for-8 in her first two games, infielder Aubrey Leach posted a pair of hits in the series finale on Monday night … The former Tennessee star registered a bunt single in the fourth inning before adding a single up the middle in the fifth inning.
- Infielder Baylee Klingler ran her hitting streak to three games after an infield single in the fourth inning … She closed the opening series with a 6-for-11 effort at the plate.
- Catcher Taylor Edwards failed to get a hit for the first time in three games this season after going 0-for-3 with a fielder’s choice.
- Rookie pitcher Emma Lemley earned the first win of her professional career after giving up one run on three hits with two strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
- Pitcher Keilani Ricketts gave up one hit and posted a pair of strikeouts over the final 2.0 innings to nail down her first save of the season … She is the third different pitcher in the league to register a save through five games this season.
Next Game: Friday, June 13 vs. Talons (Chattanooga, Tenn.) | 6:30 p.m. ET
