Haylie McCleney © Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2022 / Credit: Jade Hewitt Media

Recap: McCleney surges to early leaderboard lead in 8-3 victory

Haylie McCleney © Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2022 / Credit: Jade Hewitt Media

Eric Rhew

Jun 13, 2022

SAN DIEGO — Led by a pair of hits from center fielder Haylie McCleney, Team Chidester erupted to an early lead and held on to defeat Team Ocasio, 8-3, in the first game of the 2022 AUX Softball Season at SDSU Softball Stadium on Monday afternoon.

McCleney, who claimed MVP 1 honors, finished with 198 leaderboard points to take the early lead after going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in.

Third baseman Sam Fischer also posted a two-hit performance, including a double, to aid Team Chidester’s seven-hit attack in the victory. Shortstop Sis Bates drove in a pair of runs with a single in the first inning.

Second baseman Sierra Romero paced Team Ocasio in the loss by going 3-for-3, including a solo home run in the third inning. Pitcher Rachel Garcia and first baseman Danielle Gibson each drove in a run in the setback.

Rachele Fico earned the win in the circle, allowing one run on two hits in 3.0 innings of relief. Garcia took the loss (0-1) after conceding eight runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Team Chidester sprinted to an early 6-0 lead in the opening frame with six runs on three hits as the squad sent 10 batters to the plate. Team Ocasio answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to narrow the margin to 6-2. Romero’s home run cut the deficit to 6-3 before Team Chidester added a run in each of the last two innings.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

McCleney surged to the early lead on the leaderboard with 198 points while Bates followed with 140 points. Team Chidester claimed 50 of the 70 inning win points along with securing the 50 game win points. Sierra Romero paced Team Ocasio in the loss with 120 points.

GAME NOTES

Team Chidester turned three double plays in the victory, including two that ended an inning.
Team Ocasio outhit Team Chidester, 8-7, but left seven runners on base.
Rookie Georgina Corrick made her professional debut in the victory … The former South Florida star started in the circle and allowed two runs on four hits over 2.0 innings.
Five of Team McCleney’s nine starters registered at least one hit in the victory.
McCleney recorded the first extra-base hit of the inaugural AUX campaign with a double to right field in the first inning … It was one of three hits for Team Chidester in the opening frame.
Romero became the first player in AUX history to blast a home run … Her solo shot to left center field in the third inning earned 40 leaderboard points while trimming Team Ocasio’s deficit to 6-3.
Team Chidester was 12-for-19 in advancement opportunities in addition to a 5-for-13 effort with runners in scoring position.