Baylee Klingler

Recap: Eighth-Inning Rally Guides Team Kilfoyl to 3-2 Win Over Team Lorenz

© Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2024 / Credit: Jade Hewitt Media
Eric Rhew
Aug 11, 2024

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Team Kilfoyl plated two runs in the top of the eighth inning and held off a comeback bid from Team Lorenz in the bottom of the frame to post a 3-2 victory in the nightcap of Sunday’s Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

The win allowed Team Kilfoyl to even its record at 1-1, while Team Lorenz’s record slipped to an identical 1-1.

Corner infielder Baylee Klingler earned MVP 1 honors and 140 leaderboard points after posting a pair of hits while driving in two runs, including an RBI double in the eighth inning.

Pitcher Payton Gottshall followed with MVP 2 distinction, garnering 154 leaderboard points after scattering four hits over 3.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Gottshall, who was making her first start in Championship Season play, did not factor in the decision.

Middle infielder Sydney McKinney completed the MVP sweep after taking home MVP 3 laurels by adding a pair of hits.

Corner infielder Delanie Wisz and middle infielder Anissa Urtez paced Team Lorenz offensively with two hits apiece, while middle infielder Hannah Flippen added a hit. Pitcher Mariah Mazon (0-2) was saddled with the loss in relief, conceding a pair of unearned runs over 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.

KEY MOMENT

After Team Lorenz rallied to even the score in the bottom of the seventh inning, Team Kilfoyl reclaimed the lead with a pair of runs in the eighth inning for a 3-1 lead. Klingler drove in the first run with a double to left field before scoring two batters later when McKinney stole second base and the throw sailed into center field.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl enters Monday’s Week Three finale in third place with 902 points after her team’s victory against Team Lorenz. Outfielder Amanda Lorenz retains the top spot in the league standings, but holds a slim 14-point advantage over catcher Sashel Palacios heading into the head-to-head meeting on Monday evening.

GAME NOTES

  • Team Kilfoyl initiated a captain’s challenge in the bottom of the seventh inning on a passed ball that brought home outfielder Megan Wiggins from third base … The challenge was unsuccessful as the call was upheld … Teams are now 1-for-15 in captain’s challenges through 16 games this season.

  • Team Kilfoyl and Team Lorenz played in the seventh extra-inning game in Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season history, including the second occurrence this season … Team Kilfoyl dropped an 8-5 decision in eight innings against Team McQuillin on August 4, 2024.

  • Lorenz saw her six-game hitting streak come to an end after going 0-for-3 in the loss on Sunday.

  • Flippen has hit safely in three of her last four games after her 1-for-3 performance.

  • Wisz has a three-game hitting streak after her two-hit outing on Sunday.

GAME MVPS

  • #1 – Baylee Klingler (Team Kilfoyl, +60)
  • #2 – Payton Gottshall (Team Kilfoyl, +40)
  • #3 – Sydney McKinney (Team Kilfoyl, +20)
  • Defensive MVP – Taylor Edwards (Team Kilfoyl, +20)

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