The Quick Story: Pitcher Rachel Garcia threw her second complete game of the season and the Volts sprinted to an early 3-0 lead en route to securing a 6-1 victory over the Blaze to complete Wednesday’s Athletes Unlimited Softball League doubleheader at a sold-out Wilkins Stadium.
Key Moment: After infielder Sierra Romero gave the Volts a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a double down the right field line, rookie Danieca Coffey upped the cushion to 3-0 when she blasted a two-run home run to right center field in the second inning.
Blaze Notes
- The Blaze initiated a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the fifth inning on a bunt attempt by utility player Mia Scott … The challenge was unsuccessful after the play was upheld.
- The Blaze also requested a coach’s challenge in the bottom of the sixth inning on a stolen base attempt by outfielder Erika Piancastelli … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.
- The Blaze have now lost four consecutive games … They have been outscored by a 38-29 margin in the last four games.
- The Blaze were held to just four hits in Wednesday’s loss, tying a season low … They were also limited to four hits in the season opener against the Volts on June 7.
- The Blaze’s leadoff hitters reached base safely in 3-of-7 innings, but were just 2-for-12 in advancement opportunities.
- Infielder Baylee Klingler upped her hitting streak to seven games in a row after recording a double to left center field in the first inning … Klingler is the only player in the league to hit safely in all seven games this season.
- Outfielder Kayla Kowalik became the third Blaze player to hit a home run this season when she slugged a solo shot to center field in the fifth inning to end the Volts’ shutout bid … Klingler and infielder Danielle Gibson Whorton have accounted for the Blaze’s other home runs this season.
- Gibson Whorton registered a hit for the fifth consecutive game after connecting on a double to right field in the sixth inning.
- Outfielder Korbe Otis had her three-game hitting streak snapped after going 0-for-3 in Wednesday’s loss.
- Pitcher Alana Vawter made her AUSL debut in Wednesday’s nightcap, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Volts Notes
- The Volts snapped a four-game losing streak with their 6-1 victory over the Blaze on Wednesday night … It is their first victory (not including Tuesday’s suspended game) since a 10-3 triumph over the Blaze on June 8.
- The Volts took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a double by infielder Sierra Romero … It marked just the third time the Volts have scored first in seven games this season (not including the suspended game from Tuesday night).
- The Volts also scored in the first inning for the first time in seven outings this season (not including Tuesday’s suspended game).
- Six of the Volts’ eight hits on Wednesday came with runners on base (6-for-16).
- Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Volts had been outscored by a 16-1 margin in the first two innings of their six games … They tallied three runs in the first two frames on Wednesday.
- Pitcher Rachel Garcia threw 100 or more pitches for the second time this season after finishing with 126 pitches on Wednesday night … She opened the season with 129 pitches against the Blaze on June 7.
- Garcia, who evened her record at 2-2 in the circle, authored her second complete game of the season after giving up one run on four hits with a season-high nine strikeouts.
- Infielder Danieca Coffey hit the first home run of her professional career in the bottom of the second inning, a two-run shot to right center field that gave the Volts a 3-0 lead … She also added a double in the sixth inning for her third multi-hit game this season.
- Outfielder Amanda Lorenz has reached base safely in all seven games this season after drawing a walk in the second inning … Lorenz also drew another walk in the fifth inning before adding a single in the sixth inning.
- Infielder Jessi Warren ended an 0-for-9 skid at the plate with a single in the fourth inning … It was her first hit since June 9 against the Blaze.
- Catcher Dejah Mulipola made her AUSL season debut in the bottom of the fourth inning as a pinch hitter.
- Outfielder Erika Piancastelli and utility player Samantha Show also made their AUSL season debut in the bottom of the sixth inning as pinch hitters … Both players reached base after being hit by a pitch and Piancastelli stole second on the next pitch, which was the first stolen base of the season for the Volts.
Next Game: Thursday, June 19 | 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT
Resumption of June 17 Suspended Game (Volts lead, 3-0, in 1st inning)