Recap: Kilfoyl's Gem Guides Team Kilfoyl to 5-0 Win Over Team Faraimo

Eric Rhew

Aug 18, 2024

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl spun a three-hit shutout and corner infielder Baylee Klingler drove in three runs as Team Kilfoyl authored a 5-0 shutout victory over Team Faraimo in the opening game of Sunday’s Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

The win allowed Team Kilfoyl to finish Week Four with a 1-2 record, while Team Faraimo dropped to 0-3.

Klingler, who garnered MVP 1 distinction and 200 leaderboard points, went 1-for-3 with a three-run double in the fifth inning. Outfielder Bubba Nickles received MVP 2 status after clubbing a two-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the first inning, giving the former UCLA standout a season-high 220 leaderboard points.

Kilfoyl, meanwhile, registered her fourth complete game of the campaign after scattering three hits with five strikeouts. It also marked the second shutout of the year for the AU Pro Softball newcomer.

Three different players tallied a hit in the loss for Team Faraimo. Pitcher Rachel Garcia (0-3) suffered the loss after conceding two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings with two strikeouts.

KEY MOMENT

Nickles’ two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning was all the offense Team Kilfoyl needed to secure the victory. Klingler cleared the bases in the fifth inning with a double, upping the margin to 5-0.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Kilfoyl, who entered the day in 12th place, surged up the leaderboard 10 spots to take over second place with 1,292 points after notching her fourth 200-point outing of the season. Klingler also made a 10-spot improvement in her standing on the leaderboard after the first 200-point performance of her Championship Season career.

GAME NOTES

Team Kilfoyl registered the eighth win points sweep this season with its 5-0 victory over Team Faraimo on Sunday … In addition, it marks the league’s seventh shutout through 23 games this season.
There have now been 26 shutouts in 143 all-time AU Pro Season Championship Season contests … In addition, there have been 40 all-time win points sweeps in five Championship Seasons.
Faraimo has lost her last six games as a captain dating back to last season … She is now 2-7 in three career stints as a team leader.
Kilfoyl authored her fourth complete game of the season in addition to her second shutout of the campaign … She also blanked Team Svekis on July 28 in a 6-0 victory.
Kilfoyl becomes the fifth player in AU Pro Softball Championship Season history to register 200 or more leaderboard points at least four times in a single season … Pitcher Cat Osterman surpassed 200 points seven times during the inaugural 2020 campaign, while pitcher Aleshia Ocasio had five such instances in 2021 … Garcia fashioned five games with 200 or more points last summer, while pitcher Alyssa Denham added four games with 200 or more points.
Middle infielder Allie Skaggs ended a personal five-game losing streak with Team Kilfoyl’s victory on Sunday.
Garcia, meanwhile, has dropped eight straight games after the setback by Team Faraimo.