The Quick Story: Team Ricketts (1-1) utilized a three-run second inning and a strong pitching performance from captain Keilani Ricketts to pick up a 3-2 victory against Team Netz (0-2) to begin Athletes Unlimited Softball League All-Star Cup action on Monday evening at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.
Key Moment: Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Team Ricketts rallied to score three runs for a 3-1 advantage. Rookie outfielder Sierra Sacco drew a bases-loaded walk to even the score before middle infielder Sydney Romero drove in two runs with a single down the left-field line. Ricketts combined with Emma Lemley and Montana Fouts to hold off Team Netz in the late innings for the one-run victory.
Leaderboard Update: Ricketts jumped back into the second spot on the leaderboard with 846 points, but stands as the only member of her team within the top 10 positions in the standings. Meanwhile, captain Devyn Netz moved up four spots to sixth place with 648 leaderboard points.
Team Netz Notes
- Team Netz initiated a captain’s challenge in the bottom of the second inning to review if corner infielder Paige Sinicki was hit by a pitch or if there was a wild pitch … The challenge was successful after it was determined Sinicki was hit by the pitch.
- Team Netz becomes the second team this AUSL All-Star Cup season to claim the win points for four or more innings, but lose the game … Team Falby captured four innings, but dropped a 3-2 contest against Team Willis on August 20.
- Team Netz finished 6-for-15 in advancement opportunities and was 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
- Captain Devyn Netz finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk, double and two runs scored to earn MVP 3 plaudits and 100 leaderboard points … It was her first multi-hit performance of the season after she entered the contest 2-for-9 in four games this season.
- Outfielder Bella Dayton collected Defensive MVP honors for the first time this season … She went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI.
- Rookie outfielder Cori McMillan registered her first hits of the AUSL All-Star Cup season with a 2-for-3 performance, including an RBI single in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 3-2.
- Pitcher Megan Faraimo (0-2) was strapped with the loss after allowing three unearned runs on four hits with three walks in 2.1 innings … Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl threw the remaining 3.2 innings, retiring 11 of the 12 batters she faced.
Team Netz’s Next Game: Tuesday, August 26 vs. Team Coffey | 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT
Team Ricketts Notes
- Team Ricketts requested a captain’s challenge in the top of the sixth inning to review if corner infielder Devyn Netz left base early on a fly ball … The call on the field was upheld and the challenge was unsuccessful.
- Team Ricketts also used a captain’s challenge in the bottom of the sixth frame to review if a ground out by corner infielder Aliyah Binford was fair or foul … The ruling on the field was upheld and the challenge was unsuccessful.
- Team Ricketts was 6-for-12 in advancement opportunities, but was limited to just a 1-for-6 success rate with runners in scoring position.
- Four different players combined for Team Ricketts’ four base hits, which were all singles.
- Pitcher Keilani Ricketts earned her first win as a team leader after dropping her captain’s debut against Team Coffey on Sunday evening.
- Team Ricketts became the second team this season to be outhit by its opponent but win the game … Team Ocasio erupted for 14 hits in a 3-2 loss against Team Kilfoyl on August 2 at Ting Stadium.
- Middle infielder Sydney Romero has now registered a hit in all six games during the AUSL All-Star Cup season after lacing a two-run single in the second inning … She claimed MVP 2 accolades and 140 leaderboard points in the victory.
- Ricketts, who upped her record to 2-0, tossed 5.1 innings and yielded two runs on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts to claim MVP 1 laurels, marking her first career Game MVP award.
- Pitcher Montana Fouts registered her league-leading third save of the season after shutting down Team Netz in the seventh inning.
Team Ricketts’ Next Game: Tuesday, August 26 vs. Team Kowalik | 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT
