Sarah Willis

Recap: Big Seventh-Inning Rally Lifts Team Clark over Team Edwards, 10-4

© Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2024 / Credit: Jade Hewitt Media
Ryan Legarsky
Jun 16, 2024

WICHITA, Kansas – A pair of seventh-inning home runs from middle infielder Billie Andrews and outfielder Sarah Willis ignited Team Clark’s comeback effort as the squad defeated Team Edwards, 10-4, in the opening game of Sunday’s Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball AUX doubleheader at Wilkins Stadium.

The win allowed Team Clark to open the second series of the season with a 1-0 record, while Team Edwards dipped to 0-1.

Andrews claimed MVP 1 honors and added 180 leaderboard points to her account after launching the game-tying home run in the top of the seventh inning, her second of the season.

Pitcher Mariah Mazon was lauded with MVP 2 honors after a strong performance in the circle for Team Edwards, while Willis’ three-run shot in the final frame earned her MVP 3 laurels as she collected 140 leaderboard points in Team Clark’s victory.

Corner infielder Jessi Warren, who was rewarded with Defensive MVP accolades, added a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with a run scored in Team Clark’s come-from-behind victory.

Corner infielder Delanie Wisz and catcher Haley Lee each homered for Team Edwards in the loss, while outfielder Morgan Zerkle was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored.

Pitcher Aleshia Ocasio (1-0) picked up the win after yielding two runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of relief. Rookie Payton Gottshall retired Team Edwards in order in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.

Alex Storako (0-1) suffered the loss after surrendering eight runs on five hits in just 0.2 innings of relief. Mazon started in the circle and received a no-decision after limiting Team Clark to two runs on five hits across 6.0 innings.

KEY MOMENT

Trailing by a 4-2 margin entering the seventh inning, Team Clark sent 11 batters to the plate and scored eight runs off five hits, including Andrews’ two-run shot that evened the score and Willis’ three-run bomb.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Outfielder McKenzie Clark jumped to first place in the leaderboard with 570 points after securing the win in her debut as a captain, while Willis vaulted five spots to fifth place in the standings following her 140 points. Mazon jumped up eight positions to sixth place with 466 points and Andrews was the biggest mover after leaping 21 spots to 13th place with 440 points.

GAME NOTES

  • Team Clark initiated a captain’s challenge in the top of the fourth inning with Warren at the plate … The call of no hit-by-pitch was upheld and the challenge was unsuccessful.

  • Team Edwards also initiated a captain’s challenge in the top of the fourth inning on a safe call at first base on a fielder’s choice by Kayla Kowalik … The call was upheld and the challenge was unsuccessful.

  • Teams are now 3-for-7 in captain’s challenges this season through seven games.

  • Fifteen different players have hit a home run through the first seven games this season … Wisz and Lee belted their first home runs of the campaign for Team Edwards, while Willis slugged her first professional homer with the three-run shot in the seventh inning.

  • Team Clark tied an Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball AUX record with its eight runs in the top of the seventh inning … Team Garcia erupted for eight runs on five hits in the fifth inning of its game against Team Leach on June 25, 2023.

  • Mazon threw a career-high 111 pitches in Sunday’s outing against Team Clark … It was the third time she has posted 100 or more pitches in her Athletes Unlimited career.

  • Ocasio secured the 16th win of her Athletes Unlimited career (AUX and Championship Season combined), tying Alyssa Denham for the most career victories in AU history … She is now 16-15 in her seven AU seasons with three saves.

GAME MVPS

  • #1 – Billie Andrews (Team Clark, +60)
  • #2 – Mariah Mazon (Team Edwards, +40)
  • #3 – Sarah Willis (Team Clark, +20)
  • Defensive MVP – Jessi Warren (Team Clark, +20)

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