2023 in Review: The Biggest AU Pro Softball Moments

1. AU Pro Games at the Little League World Series

For the first time, AU Pro Softball traveled to a new location during the Championship season and the destination could not have been more special. Playing a doubleheader in Greenville, N.C., it was the first professional games played at the Little League Softball World Series.

Athletes not only competed at one of the biggest youth events in the sport but also visited Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park, the home of the Little League Softball World Series to meet and connect with the 12 participating teams from around the world.

The mid-season road trip was broadcast live on ESPN2 and Little League Softball players and parents packed the stands at East Carolina University for Team Romero vs. Team Davidson and Team Faraimo vs. Team Alexander.

AU rookie Kathryn Sandercock returned as a star to the stage where her softball career began to take off. This year marked the 10th anniversary of Sandercock’s run with Team Virginia. Not only was Sandercock honored, but the people who packed the snacks and drove her to all those practices were also recognized. Her parents Colin and Trish Sandercock were named the George and Barbara Bush Little League® Parents of the Year. They are the first-ever softball parents given the honor.

2. Megan Faraimo’s No-Hitter

Rookie Megan Faraimo stepped into her pro career in a big way. Not only did she shoot to the top of the leaderboard and serve as a multi-week captain during the 2023 season, but she also recorded the second no-hitter in league history.

On Aug. 6, the captain started in the circle for her team and allowed just two base runners throughout her seven innings of perfection. She retired the final 10 batters she faced securing her team a 1-0 win over Team Zerkle.

Faraimo joins the exclusive club of throwing a no-hitter at AU Pro Softball with 2020 Champion Cat Osterman. Faraimo went on to win Rookie of the Year.

3. Pitchers for the Win

Both the Championship and AUX Softball season were dominated by pitchers with some of the best staffs assembled and the most competitive games in league history.

A pitcher also took home the crown for both seasons: Rachel Garcia finishing in first place at AUX and Odicci Alexander claiming the crown at Championship season.

Garcia showcased that she is a true two-way player, accumulating a third of her total leaderboard points from the stat point category. She recorded a 4-1 record, a league-best ERA of 3.19 across 37.1 innings pitched, and 34 strikeouts. At the plate, she put up a .267 average with four walks, two doubles, and a home run in 31 at-bats.

Alexander found her way to the top through her leadership as a captain and translated that into winning innings and games. She dominated the win point category with 79 inning wins and a 12-3 record for 1,390 overall win points. It made up nearly 70% of her total leaderboard points. In the circle, she had a 2.15 ERA with 42 strikeouts.

Savanna Collins is the Digital Media Reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Twitter @savannaecollins.