The Quick Story: Catcher Kayla Kowalik and infielder Sierra Romero combined for four hits and three runs batted in as Team Kowalik (2-0) closed the second series of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League All-Star Cup with a 4-1 victory over Team Willis (1-1) at Parkway Bank Sports Complex on Thursday evening.
Key Moment: After the teams played to a scoreless draw through the first four innings, Team Kowalik broke the stalemate in the bottom of the fifth inning with a three-run outburst. Pinch hitter Ali Newland drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the game’s first run before Kowalik followed with a two-run single to left field for a 3-0 advantage.
Leaderboard Update: Kowalik, who tallied 210 leaderboard points in the victory on Thursday, remains the league leader with 860 leaderboard points. Sierra Romero climbed into ninth place in the league standings after compiling 240 points, while pitcher Keilani Ricketts moved into second place and will captain the Orange team in the next series.
Team Willis Notes
- Team Willis went 0-for-4 in advancement opportunities, including a 0-for-4 mark with runners on base.
- Middle infielder Sydney Romero accounted for Team Willis’ lone run by blasting a solo home run to left center field to open the seventh inning, ending Team Kowalik’s shutout bid.
- Corner infielder Paige Sinicki has hit safely in three consecutive games after going 1-for-2 against Team Kowalik on Thursday.
- Corner infielder Tori Vidales owns a hit in three of her four All-Star Cup games after going 1-for-3 with an infield single in the fourth inning.
- Pitcher Alana Vawter (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on five hits in 4.0 innings of work … She also registered four strikeouts before exiting in the fifth frame.
- Pitcher Emiley Kennedy made her first appearance in the All-Star Cup after entering in the fifth inning … She allowed one earned run with two walks in 0.1 innings.
Team Kowalik Notes
- Team Kowalik was 4-for-14 in advancement opportunities, including 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position … Team Kowalik’s lead-off hitters also reached base safely in 3-of-6 innings.
- Team Kowalik authored the fourth win points sweep of the All-Star Cup campaign … Team Kowalik also claimed all 130 win points against Team Falby in a 5-0 victory to open the series on Tuesday night.
- Captain Kayla Kowalik has earned Game MVP honors in all four games this season, including three consecutive MVP 1 certificates … She leads the AUSL All-Star Cup field in MVP points (220) and stat points (150), while tying for third in the circuit with 490 win points.
- Kowalik has also recorded three consecutive multi-hit efforts after going 2-for-3 in the victory on Thursday night … She has also driven in the game-winning run in all four of her games this season.
- Kowalik has registered at least one hit in all four games through the first two series and leads the AUSL with nine hits.
- Kowalik also becomes the first player in the All-Star Cup this season to record multiple games with 200 or more leaderboard points … She opened this week’s series with a 270-point performance against Team Falby on Tuesday night.
- Middle infielder Sierra Romero belted her first home run of the campaign with a solo shot in the sixth inning to earn MVP 2 status and a game-high 240 leaderboard points.
- Pitcher Emma Lemley, the game’s MVP 3 honoree, did not factor in the decision despite holding Team Willis scoreless across 4.0 innings … She registered 198 leaderboard points after scattering two hits with two strikeouts.
- Outfielder Caroline Jacobsen was named as the game’s Defensive MVP after finishing with three putouts … She also contributed an outfield assist on a double play in the third inning.
- Outfielder McKenzie Clark registered her first hit of the All-Star Cup with a single through the right side in the third inning.
- Pitcher Aliyah Binford (1-1) picked up her first victory of the All-Star Cup after tossing 1.0 inning of scoreless relief with one strikeout.
- Pitcher Montana Fouts earned her second save of the series after allowing one run on one hit over the final 2.0 innings with two strikeouts … She is tied with pitcher Taylor McQuillin for the league lead in saves.
