“The E + R = O; it’s the event plus your response that equals your outcome…” shared Talons Head Coach Howard Dobson when asked about bouncing back after opening weekend. Dobson and the Talons’ response was felt this weekend, and the outcome was a series sweep of the Blaze backed by an offensive outburst.
The Talons plated 14 runs in the series opener, setting the tone for the series and marking a league high for runs scored in a single game. Compared to the seven runs they scored during opening weekend, the Talons’ offense included 31 runs on 32 hits against the Blaze.
Inclement weather made for a long and somewhat wacky series in Chattanooga. Friday’s game was postponed, forcing a doubleheader to start the weekend.
A 56-minute rain delay in the series opener also extended their Saturday, yet the Talons kept their momentum and put up a total of 21 runs on the day; their offense would sustain through Sunday.
“Double headers are tough in general, there is no time limit, no drop dead in these games and so we are playing a full seven back-to-back, [with a] 30-minute break,” infielder Hannah Flippen said. “It is challenging to get your body ready for that, but I think more importantly, it’s how well you stay mentally checked in, in games like these.”
GAME 1 (DH) | TALONS 14 – BLAZE 12
The game-winning two-run homer off the bat of Sydney Romero in the top of the seventh inning was the headline for the series opener. The Talons scored early with four runs in the first, with Flippen producing three of them after homering to left field. The Talons went on to score 12 by the sixth. Still, the Blaze overcame an 11-run deficit with 12 consecutive runs, knotting it all up in the sixth. A productive seventh inning included Romero’s two-run shot and Montana Fouts retiring all three Blaze batters, securing the win for the Talons.
Offensive headliners also include Ali Aguilar, who had a pair of hits on the day, and Sierra Sacco, who got on base every at-bat.
“It was definitely an entire team win, between the pitchers we went through and them having to battle the zones that we had and also getting hits throughout our lineup…they contributed everywhere, even the players off the bench came in and got some hits and ran some bases,” said Dobson.
In the circle, Megan Faraimo made her AUSL debut and shared the work with Lauren Derkowski, Mariah Lopez, Raelin Chaffin and Fouts. This marked Chaffin’s second win of the season and Fout’s second save.
GAME 2 (DH) | TALONS 7 – BLAZE 6
The Talons jumped out to another early lead, scoring four in the first inning, with RBIs off the bat of Flippen and Ally Shipman-Trout. The Blaze responded in the bottom of the first inning with three runs. Caroline Jacobsen had a two-run homer in the third inning and the Talons plated an insurance run in the top of the fifth off an Aguilar home run. Blaze infielder Danielle Gibson Whorton had a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh, but it wouldn’t be enough to top the Talons.
Fouts got the win, becoming the first pitcher in AUSL history to get a save and win on the same day with five strikeouts across her six innings pitched. Faraimo marked her first save of the season as well.
GAME 3 | TALONS 10 – BLAZE 8
Offense was a major theme of the weekend and Sunday was no exception, despite the Blaze plating runs and keeping games close. Meanwhile, the Talons continued to produce with timely hits. The team now leads the AUSL with 10 home runs on the season, with three of them coming in the series finale. Bri Ellis earned her first career home run, Sacco launched one as well, and Flippen had a go-ahead three-run shot in the seventh. Flippen led game three with four hits and five RBIs, while Sacco and Jacobsen each had a pair of hits.
Fairamo earned another win, while Chaffin and Lopez also saw time in the circle.
The Talons will play the Bandits on Tuesday, June 17th at 7 p.m. ET on MLB.com.
Cayla Sweazie is a former collegiate softball player turned sports reporter with a passion for telling the stories of athletes. She is serving as a correspondent for the Talons of the AUSL. You can follow her on Instagram @caysweazie.
