Recap: Romero hits 3-run home run to secure 5-3 win over Team Faraimo

Eric Rhew

Aug 12, 2023

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The key to winning in Athletes Unlimited Softball through the first two weeks has been scoring four or more runs, which Team Romero learned in its 5-3 victory over Team Faraimo on Saturday afternoon at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

The win elevated Team Romero’s Week Three record to 1-1, while Team Faraimo fell to 0-2.

Corner infielder Sydney Romero garnered MVP 1 honors after blasting a three-run home run in the second inning to lead Team Romero to the win, ending the night with 200 leaderboard points.

Pitcher Rachel Garcia led all players with 212 leaderboard points after receiving MVP 2 recognition. Garcia, who upped her record to 2-2 in the circle, allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts over 6.0 innings in relief. She also added a 1-for-4 performance at the plate.

Outfielder Morgan Zerkle completed the MVP trio for Team Romero after going 3-for-4 with a double to earn 160 leaderboard points.

Six different players collected a hit in the loss for Team Faraimo while pitcher Brooke Yanez suffered the loss after giving up three runs on four hits in 1.2 innings with a strikeout.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Team Romero overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring five runs over the second and third innings to claim a 5-2 lead it did not relinquish. Romero blasted a three-run home run to left center field in the second inning for a one-run edge before catcher Taylor Edwards and corner infielder Lilli Piper drove in runs during the third inning.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

The win allowed middle infielder Sierra Romero to rise three spots on the leaderboard into third place, while Sydney Romero moved into sixth place after an increase of four positions. Garcia also moved back into the top 10 and holds seventh place heading into Sunday’s twinbill.

GAME NOTES

Team Romero and Team Faraimo combined to score eight runs in Saturday’s nightcap, elevating the league’s season total to 110 runs through 16 games … Aspiration is committed to planting 10 trees for every run scored this season as part of its ‘Aspiration Round the Bases’ initiative.
The top four hitters in Team Romero’s lineup, including Zerkle, Sierra Romero, Garcia and outfielder Amanda Lorenz, accounted for seven of the team’s 12 hits … Lorenz added a 2-for-4 performance with a run scored.
Garcia threw 122 pitches in her winning performance on Saturday, including 71 strikes.
Team Faraimo was 9-for-18 in advancement opportunities, while Team Faraimo was 8-of-22 in advancement opportunities … The teams were a combined 3-for-27 with runners in scoring position.
Garcia and Sydney Romero each tallied 200 or more leaderboard points for the second time this season.