The Quick Story: Team Willis sprinted to an early lead and held off a comeback bid by Team Falby to secure a 3-2 victory in Athletes Unlimited Softball League All-Star Cup action at Parkway Bank Sports Complex on Wednesday evening.
Key Moment: Team Willis erupted for three runs in the first inning to build an early lead. Outfielder Sierra Sacco opened the game with a single and advanced to second base on a fielding error before scoring on a triple by infielder Sydney Romero. Infielder Tori Vidales upped the margin to 3-0 when she blasted a two-run home run down the left field line.
Leaderboard Update: Pitcher Sarah Willis, who upped her record to 2-0 in the circle, moved into third place on the leaderboard after securing 122 points in the victory. Pitcher Taylor McQuillin also rose 13 spots in the league standings and holds the No. 5 spot entering Wednesday’s series finale against Team Kowalik.
Team Falby Notes
- Team Falby initiated a captain’s challenge in the top of the first inning when outfielder Kendra Falby was called out on a groundout … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.
- After being held to just one runner in scoring position by Team Kowalik in Tuesday night’s series opener, Team Falby went 6-for-13 in advancement opportunities against Team Willis, including a 3-for-8 success rate with runners in scoring position.
- Falby completed her first week as a captain with an 0-2 record.
- Pitcher Georgina Corrick tossed 4.0 innings of scoreless relief after scattering three hits with four strikeouts to claim MVP 2 laurels and 128 leaderboard points … Corrick has collected a league-high 12 strikeouts in her three appearances this season.
- Pitcher Payton Gottshall (0-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits without recording an out in the first inning.
- Corrick and Odicci Alexander-Bennett combined to hold Team Willis to four hits while registering five strikeouts.
- Outfielder Morgan Zerkle, who tallied just one hit in her first three All-Star Cup games, paced Team Falby with two hits in the setback on Wednesday night.
Team Willis Notes
- Team Willis requested a captain’s challenge in the bottom of the fifth inning when infielder Tori Vidales was called out at home plate on a single by infielder Ana Gold … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.
- Team Willis also requested a captain’s challenge in the top of the seventh inning on an infield single by outfielder Ciara Briggs … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.
- Team Willis was 6-for-11 in advancement opportunities in addition to going 4-of-11 with runners on base.
- Five of Team Willis’ seven hits came from the top three hitters in the lineup in addition to all three of the team’s runs … Outfielder Sierra Sacco and infielder Tori Vidales each posted a two-hit performance, while infielder Sydney Romero went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a run batted in.
- Vidales, who secured MVP 1 honors along with a season-high 200 leaderboard points, recorded her second multi-hit game of the All-Star Cup campaign after going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored … She also fashioned a two-hit performance against Team Kilfoyl on August 2 at Ting Stadium.
- Infielder Sydney Romero, who was named as the game’s Defensive MVP, has hit safely in all three games after her 1-for-3 effort on Wednesday night … She has also driven in a run in each of her last two appearances.
- Infielder Ana Gold posted her first hit in the All-Star Cup season with a single in the fifth inning … She also reached base safely after being hit by a pitch in the first inning and drawing a walk in the third inning.
- Pitcher Sarah Willis earned her second win in as many outings after allowing two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings … She also registered a pair of strikeouts.
- Pitcher Taylor McQuillin nailed down her second save of the campaign after scattering two hits over 2.2 innings with two strikeouts … She was honored as the game’s MVP 3 honoree after compiling 142 leaderboard points.
Team Willis’ Next Game: Thursday, August 21 vs. Team Kowalik | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
