The Talons opened their season against the Bandits in Rosemont, Ill., for a three-game series in front of a sold-out crowd at Parkway Bank Sports Complex. The historic opening weekend included big moments for the Talons: pitcher Montana Fouts recorded the first strikeout in AUSL history, Sierra Sacco hit the first home run in AUSL history, and several players made their professional debuts.
Despite dropping the series to the Bandits, there were bright spots that make for a promising season ahead for the Talons. Their 6-3 win in Game 2 is just a glimpse at the potential that this offense has and the threat they pose one through nine.
GAME 1 | BANDITS 3 – TALONS 1
The Talons fell to the Bandits 3-1, marking the first win in AUSL history for their opposition. Montana Fouts got the nod for game one and recorded the first strikeout in league history against Bubba Nickles-Camarena in the bottom of the first inning. Mariah Lopez would come in and throw two innings as well.
The Talons scored first. Sierra Sacco hit the league’s first home run in the top of the third inning, but that was the only run the Talons would see all afternoon. Caroline Jacobsen and Sharlize Palacios had a pair of hits, and Sydney Romero had an infield single to accompany the Sacco bomb in game one. Aside from their collective offensive effort, they were 1-for-11 with runners on base. Bri Ellis and Ally Shipman-Shrout made their professional debuts as well.
The Bandits’ offense was led by Cori McMillan, who had a pair of hits, and Erin Coffel, with a pair of RBIs off a triple to right center in the bottom of the third. Sydney McKinney scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the fifth, giving the Bandits a two-run lead. Lexi Kilfoyl got the win in the circle across four innings pitched with three strikeouts and five hits. Taylor McQuillin got the save, pitching three innings with one hit and one strikeout.
GAME 2 | BANDITS 3 – TALONS 6
The Talons bounced back on Sunday in a collective team effort. Offense was a clear focus coming off Saturday’s loss, as all nine starters for the Talons had a hit on the day. The Talons jumped to an early two-run lead that they would not relinquish. Back-to-back home runs from Ali Aguilar and Tori Vidales in the first inning off rookie pitcher Devyn Netz sparked the offense. Sierra Saco, Sharlize Palacios and Hannah Flippen all had two hits on the day.
The Bandits plated three runs, shrinking the Talons’ lead to 4-3 by the third inning, but the Talons were able to score two insurance runs in the seventh inning with RBIs off the bat of Sacco and Sydney Romero.
Lauren Derkowski got the start in the circle and Raelin Chaffin earned the first win of her professional career, throwing three scoreless innings in relief. Montana Fouts threw one inning, earning her first save.
GAME 3 | BANDITS 8 – TALONS 0
The Bandits responded with an explosive offensive performance on Tuesday night, securing the win and taking the series in a run-rule. Bandits Head Coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz shared that adjusting to pitching was a focus heading into Tuesday’s game.
“We never really got dialed in on Sunday, they [Bandits] worked, they went and had a team hitting session on their off day on Monday, worked some things out, and had some conversations. We watched some film today [Tuesday]. I just feel like we were really prepared,” Nuveman-Deniz said.
With eight hits on eight runs, the Bandits executed their goal of adjusting to the Talons’ pitching. Mariah Lopez got the start while Montana Fouts, Lauren Derkowski and Raelin Chaffin all got time in the circle Tuesday evening. Tori Vidales, Bri Ellis and Sydney Romero were the trio that combined for the Talons’ three hits, but it wasn’t enough against the arms of Oddici Alexander, Emiley Kennedy and Lexi Kilfoyl.
The Talons will play the Bandits again on June 17 in Wichita, Kan., at 7 p.m. ET.
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.
