The Quick Story: The Volts earned the first extra-inning win in Athletes Unlimited Softball League history after downing the Blaze by a 5-1 score at Wilkins Stadium on Saturday evening.
Key Moment: The Volts charged ahead with four runs in the top of the eighth inning. After a bunt by pitcher Rachel Garcia moved utility player Danieca Coffey to third base, rookie catcher Michaela Edenfield brought Coffey home with a single up the middle for a 2-1 lead. A fielder’s choice and a walk to infielder Kelsey Stewart-Hunter put runners on first and second before outfielder McKenzie Clark blasted a three-run home run over the left field fence for a 5-1 cushion.
Volts Notes
- The Volts initiated a coaches’ challenge in the top of the eighth inning when infielder Sis Bates was called out at first base … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.
- The Volts were 9-for-18 in advancement opportunities and 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
- Pitcher Rachel Garcia threw the first complete game in Athletes Unlimited Softball League history … The former UCLA standout allowed one run on four hits while posting eight strikeouts … She threw 129 pitches, including 84 strikes.
- Outfielder McKenzie Clark was the only Volts player to record a multi-hit game in the season opener after going 2-for-3 … In addition to her three-run home run, the former Clemson product added a single in the sixth inning.
- Utility player Danieca Coffey made her professional debut in Saturday’s victory as a pinch runner … Catcher Michaela Edenfield also played in the first game of her professional career, going 1-for-4 with a RBI single in the decisive eighth inning.
- Miranda Stoddard started at first base in her professional debut and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.
Blaze Notes
- The Blaze was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and failed to get its lead-off hitter on base in every inning.
- Outfielders Korbe Otis and Ciara Briggs, infielder Ana Gold and pitchers Emma Lemley and Brooke McCubbin each made their professional debut … Otis was 0-for-2 with a walk, while Briggs earned the start in right field … Gold did not record a hit in two at-bats… Lemley entered the game in the third inning and posted 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts … McCubbin also posted a scoreless frame in relief.
- Utility player Baylee Klingler was the only Blaze player to post a multi-hit outing on Saturday night, collecting a pair of hits … She singled in the first inning before adding a single up the middle in the sixth inning.
Next Game: Sunday, June 8 | 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT
