Recap: Faraimo throws second no-hitter in Athletes Unlimited Softball history

Eric Rhew

Aug 06, 2023

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Rookie Megan Faraimo can now say she is linked to Cat Osterman in Athletes Unlimited history after hurling the second no-hitter in the league’s four-year history.

The newcomer from UCLA allowed just two base runners and retired the final 10 hitters she faced to secure Team Faraimo’s 1-0 verdict over Team Zerkle in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

Faraimo, who threw eight no-hitters during her college career at UCLA, joins Osterman as the only players in league history with a no-hitter. Osterman, the 2020 Athletes Unlimited Softball champion, spun her gem on August 29, 2021, in a 6-1 victory over Team Hayward.

Faraimo, who registered a perfect 264 leaderboard points, claimed MVP 1 distinction to lead the sweep for Team Faraimo. Catcher Jordan Roberts followed with MVP 2 honors and 160 points while designated player Tori Vidales followed with MVP 3 distinction after scoring the game’s only run to secure 160 points of her own.

Pitcher Georgina Corrick (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing the lone run in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Team Faraimo broke the scoreless stalemate in the fifth inning with three consecutive hits. After corner infielder Tori Vidales singled, she advanced to second base on a single by middle infielder Hannah Flippen before coming around to score on Piancastelli’s single to left field.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Faraimo’s record-setting performance elevated her into the top spot of the leaderboard with a 174-point advantage over middle infielder Sierra Romero, who plays in the nightcap against Team Garcia. Corner infielder Sam Fischer saw her position in the league standings rise by 10 spots into fourth place with 596 points.

GAME NOTES

Team Faraimo and Team Zerkle combined to score one run in Sunday’s first game, upping the league’s season total to 77 runs through 11 games … Aspiration is committed to planting 10 trees for every run scored during the season as part of its ‘Aspiration Round the Bases’ initiative.
Team Zerkle initiated a captain’s challenge in the top of the sixth inning on Piancastelli’s RBI single, which was unsuccessful.
Team Zerkle had two batters reach base in Faraimo’s no-hit outing … Corner infielder Delanie Wisz reached base on a dropped fly ball in the fourth inning after outfielder Morgan Zerkle drew a walk in the bottom of the first inning.
Outfielder Amanda Lorenz saw an end to her eight-game hitting streak dating back to last season … She was the only player in the league to hit safely in the first five games this season.
Vidales has hit safely in 4-of-6 games this season … She also extends her own Championship Season record by notching a hit in 39 career appearances.
Faraimo becomes the 15th player in Championship Season history to record 250 or more leaderboard points in a single game … It is her third game with 200 or more points this season.