Recap: Rookies Guide Team Romero to 5-1 Victory Over Team Alexander
ROSEMONT, Ill. — Team Romero used two hits and three runs batted in from rookie outfielder Claire Davidson and a complete game effort from fellow newcomer Lexi Kilfoyl to secure a 5-1 victory over Team Alexander to complete Friday night’s season-opening Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.
Davidson, who went 2-for-3 in her professional debut, registered a RBI double in the second inning before slugging a two-run home run over the left field fence in the fourth inning to give Team Romero a 4-1 lead. The former Duke standout was the game’s MVP 2 selection and garnered 210 leaderboard points.
Kilfoyl earned the victory in her professional debut, giving up one run on six hits while registering four strikeouts. She received MVP 1 distinction for her efforts in addition to 244 leaderboard points.
Corner infielder Delanie Wisz completed the MVP sweep after going 1-for-3 with a RBI single in the third inning to plate the eventual game-winning run. She collected 140 leaderboard points as a result of her MVP 3 selection.
Outfielder Bubba Nickles and middle infielder Sydney McKinney each posted a 2-for-3 effort in the loss for Team Alexander. Nickles also drove in the squad’s lone run with a single to right field in the first inning.
Reigning AU Pro Softball champion Odicci Alexander was saddled with the loss after allowing three earned runs on four hits over 3.0 innings.
KEY MOMENT
After falling behind by a 1-0 count in the first inning, Team Romero responded with five unanswered runs over a four-inning span to claim a 5-1 advantage it did not relinquish. Kilfoyl, meanwhile, excelled after giving up the early run and allowed just four hits over the final six innings.
LEADERBOARD IMPACT
Kilfoyl paces the league with her 244 leaderboard points after the opening night of the season. Davidson, meanwhile, stands third in the 60-player field with her 210-point effort.
GAME NOTES
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Team Romero initiated the first captain’s challenge of the season in the sixth inning on an advancement to third base by catcher Mia Davidson … The call was upheld and the challenge was unsuccessful.
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Team Alexander also requested a captain’s challenge on an infield single by outfielder McKenzie Clark in the bottom of the sixth inning … The call was upheld and the challenge was unsuccessful.
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Kilfoyl becomes the 11th pitcher in Championship Season history to throw a complete game.
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Nickles authored the 10th multi-hit game of her AU Pro Softball Championship Season career with her two-hit performance.
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Davidson was hit by a pitch for the 15th time in her Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship Season career when she was plunked in the top of the third inning.
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Outfielder Haylie McCleney fashioned the 98th hit of her Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball career with a single through the right side in the sixth inning … She stands two hits away from being the fourth player in AU Pro Softball history to reach 100 career hits between AUX and Championship Season play.
GAME MVPS
- #1 – Lexi Kilfoyl (Team Romero, +60)
- #2 – Claire Davidson (Team Romero, +40)
- #3 – Delanie Wisz (Team Romero, +20)
