Garcia's complete game and 9 strikeouts power Volts to 6-1 win

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.