The Talons continued their winning ways in Salt Lake City, Utah, taking three games over the Blaze in the four-game series. The series was a homecoming for former Utah Utes infielder Hannah Flippen and left-handed pitcher Mariah Lopez, competing at their alma mater in Dumke Family Softball Stadium.
Through three, the Talon’s offense was strong but subsided on Saturday, unable to plate a run. Maya Brady was the offensive headliner, making her Athletes Unlimited Softball League debut this weekend and going 10-for-10 in her first AUSL at-bats.
GAME 1 | TALONS 4 – BLAZE 1
Georgina Corrick was the winning arm in the circle, earning her sixth win of the season and holding the Blaze to six hits and one run over four innings. The Blaze came out to an early lead in the top of the first inning due to a Kayla Kowalik RBI scoring Aubrey Leach. Despite the early run, the Blaze were unable to push a run across for the rest of the game.
The Talons responded in the bottom of the second with two runs, taking the lead. Brady had an electrifying debut, going 2-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base. Bri Ellis and Flippen earned an RBI later in the game to ensure the Talons’ win.
GAME 2 | TALONS 5 – BLAZE 4
In game two, the Blaze jumped out to another early lead but were unable to sustain their offense. Sydney Romero and Brady each had a trio of hits on the day. Romero’s offense was a standout for the Talons, and Brady hit her first AUSL home run off the arm of Aliyah Binford.
The Talons responded to the Blaze’s one run with three in the bottom of the first. The Blaze plated three more in the top of the second. Trailing by one run in the fourth, the Talons scored twice more, securing the win. Raelin Chaffin earned the win across 3.2 innings pitched to improve her record to 6-1, while Corrick earned her second save.
GAME 3 | TALONS 3 – BLAZE 2
Ellis got the Talons’ offense rolling with an RBI single, scoring Romero. Ana Gold then hit a homer for the Blaze, knotting it all up in the bottom of the second. After two scoreless innings, Brady and Tori Vidales combined for two RBIs in the bottom of the fifth.
Lopez got her second start of the season and threw her longest outing across three innings, allowing two hits with two strikeouts. The Blaze’s momentum was stifled in the bottom of the seventh when Corrick came in as relief. Corrick struck out two batters with runners in scoring position after an unearned run to complete the victory. She earned the save while Montana Fouts earned the win, allowing only one run in three innings pitched.
GAME 4 | BLAZE 2 – TALONS 0
After dropping two one-run games, the Blaze finally got the ending they were looking for. Defeating the Talons for the first time this season, the team in pink left the Talons scoreless thanks to a commanding pitching effort. Baylee Klinger put the Blaze on the board first with an RBI.
Devyn Netz, Aleshia Ocasio, Keilani Ricketts and Alana Vawter all saw time in the circle with a collective effort that held the Talons to only three. Ocasio earned the win while Fouts claimed the loss for the Talons
Outfielder Jadelyn Allchin was reinstated to the Talons roster from the reserve athlete pool and got the start in center field after Sierra Sacco was placed on the Injured List.
The Talons will face the Volts this week in their final series of the regular season before their pursuit of the first AUSL championship title begins.
The Talons’ two-game series against the Volts begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 22, on ESPN2.
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.
