The Quick Story: The Blaze used a balanced team effort to snap a brief two-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Volts in Athletes Unlimited Softball League action at Husky Softball Stadium on Saturday evening.
Key Moment: The Blaze built a 2-0 lead in the opening three innings before the Volts answered with a run in the fifth inning to trim the deficit to 2-1. But, a solo home run by outfielder McKenzie Clark in the top of the sixth inning provided an insurance run for the Blaze and sealed the victory.
Blaze Notes
- The Blaze initiated a coach’s challenge in the top of the fifth inning to challenge if infielder Baylee Klingler was safe on a play at first base … The call on the field was upheld and Klingler was ruled out.
- The Blaze scored first for the sixth time this season, including the third straight game … They are now 2-4 when scoring the game’s first run.
- The Blaze were 5-for-14 in advancement opportunities, but were limited to a 1-for-9 effort with runners in scoring position.
- The Blaze moved to 2-5 as the designated visiting team, including their second victory in the last five games … They previously defeated the Bandits, 12-10, on July 8 in Rosemont.
- Outfielder McKenzie Clark went 1-for-2 at the plate, including her third home run of the season, to register her first hit against her former team … Clark was acquired by the Blaze in a June 22 trade with the Volts.
- Infielder Aubrey Leach extended her streak of reaching base safely to a team-high nine games after a single in the first inning … She finished 1-for-3 with a walk and has a hit in four straight contests.
- Pitcher Aliyah Binford stroked a double to left field in her first at-bat of the season during the second inning … Binford joined the Blaze following the mid-season break.
- Two-way player Devyn Netz became the 10th pitcher to appear for the Blaze this year, which is the most in the league … Netz, who entered the game in the fourth inning, also earned her second victory of the season, including her first win with the Blaze.
- Pitcher Keilani Ricketts returned to the circle for the first time since June 15 and locked down her second save of the campaign … She pitched 2.1 innings with four strikeouts and did not allow a base hit.
Volts Notes
- The Volts are now 2-9 when their opponent plates the first run of the game.
- The Volts’ loss against the Blaze on Saturday night allowed the Talons to clinch a berth in the AUSL Championship, which will be held on July 26-28 at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
- Outfielder Ciara Briggs went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored … She now has three multi-hit games since joining the Volts, including her second straight effort with at least two hits against her former team … Briggs is hitting .556 over her last three games.
- Utility Danieca Coffey laced her third double of the season in the fifth inning to drive in the Volts’ lone run on Saturday night … It marked her first extra-base hit since recording a double and a home run against the Blaze on June 18.
- Outfielder Amanda Lorenz was held off base for the second night in a row after reaching base safely in each of her first 15 games.
- Pitcher Sam Landry dropped her record to 1-4 after allowing two runs on five hits over 4.0 innings with three strikeouts.
Next Game: Sunday, July 13 | 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
Probable Starting Pitchers: Alana Vawter (1-3, 4.27) vs. Mariah Mazón 0-2, 5.65)
