The Talons split their final regular season series in Tuscaloosa, with the Volts closing the year with their first win over the Talons. Both games ended with identical scores, alternating in favor of each team.
After taking Game One, the Talons came up short by two runs, unable to pull off the sweep. An early lead from the Volts on Wednesday proved that they were bringing all the energy into their final game, refusing to cap their season with a loss. Here’s how the series unfolded:
GAME ONE | TALONS 6 – VOLTS 4
A former five-year letter winner at Alabama, Montana Fouts had her homecoming getting with the start at Rhoads Stadium. Across her four innings pitched, she allowed three runs and four hits. This marked her first time pitching at Rhoads since May 2023, when she helped lead the Crimson Tide to a Women’s College World Series berth after a big NCAA regional win.
Georgina Corrick threw three innings, earning her fourth save on the season – a league high.
“It’s just an honor to be on this pitching staff. Getting to work with Coach Lisa and Coach Kirk, has just been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. But then all the arms that we have, I feel like we just pour into each other, on and off the field. No matter who’s in the circle, the rest of the staff is just pulling so hard,” Fouts said.
The Talons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, and after the Volts tied it up by the fourth, they were able to pull away by plating three more in back-to-back frames. The series opener marked Sydney Romero’s 10th consecutive time reaching base safely, and Maya Brady, who had a pair of RBIs, extended her hitting streak to five games.
GAME TWO | VOLTS 6 – TALONS 4
In Game Two, the Volts were the team that took the early lead. Scoring four in the top of the second inning, they claimed the momentum early. Dejah Mulipola was the spark, with an RBI single followed by an Erika Piancastelli RBI single. It was then Mia Scott who upped the ante and was responsible for a two-run double.
While the Talons responded with three in the third – Caroline Jacobsen brought in two runs with a left-center homerun – the Volts continued to tack on insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Payton Gottshall earned her third win of the season and a season high of six strikeouts. Raelin Chaffin took the loss, making her record 6-2 for the regular season.
The Talons will face the Bandits in the AUSL Championship series on ESPN at 3 p.m. ET this Saturday, July 26th.
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.
