Recap: Early lead lifts Team Zerkle against Team Ocasio

Eric Rhew

Jul 30, 2022

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Team Zerkle used an early start on offense and strong pitching from Rachel Garcia and Taylor McQuillin to secure a 4-2 victory over Team Ocasio in the nightcap of Saturday’s season-opening Athletes Unlimited Softball doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

Garcia, who finished second in the AUX Softball standings earlier this summer, picked up right where she left off. Named as the MVP 1 selection, the former UCLA standout authored 196 leaderboard points to end the first night of the season in second place in the league standings.

Catcher Dejah Mulipola followed by posting 190 points, including MVP 2 accolades, while going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. McQuillin secured MVP 3 distinction after claiming the save, throwing 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

KEY MOMENT

Team Zerkle sprinted to a 3-0 lead in the opening four innings to take the early advantage. A double by infielder Sydney Romero plated the first run before an RBI single from Mulipola upped the advantage to 2-0. Team captain Morgan Zerkle added to the lead with a RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

The top 10 spots on the leaderboard are split evenly between Team Zerkle and Team Eberle after both teams earned an Opening Night victory. Garcia stands just 12 points behind Team Eberle captain Carrie Eberle, who notched 208 points in the first game.

GAME NOTES

Team Ocasio initiated the first captain’s challenge of the season on a double by outfielder Megan Wiggins with two outs in the fourth inning … The call on the field was upheld.
McQuillin earned her second career Athletes Unlimited save after registering five strikeouts with no walks.
The teams were a combined 2-for-14 with two outs in addition to having their leadoff hitter reach base just three times.