Recap: Sharlize Palacios' Blast Sends Team Palacios to 3-1 Victory Over Team McQuillin

Rookie catcher Sharlize Palacios’ two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning proved to be the difference as it elevated Team Palacios to a 3-1 victory in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

The win allowed Team Palacios to improve to 2-0, while Team McQuillin dropped to 0-2.

Sharlize Palacios earned her second Game MVP honor of the campaign in addition to claiming 200 leaderboard points after her home run to left field gave Team Palacios a 3-1 advantage in the final frame.

Pitcher Megan Faraimo, who claimed the win in the circle, was the game’s MVP 2 selection after scattering two hits over 3.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Rookie Valerie Cagle nailed down her first save as a professional after conceding one hit in the final frame.

Outfielder Bubba Nickles drove in the only run for Team McQuillin in the loss with a double in the third inning, garnering MVP 3 distinction. Pitcher Rachel Garcia dropped to 0-2 after allowing two runs on one hit over 3.1 innings with four walks and three strikeouts.

Corner infielder Jessi Warren anchored Team McQuillin offensively with a 2-for-3 performance.

KEY MOMENT

With the score all square at 1-1, outfielder Haylie McCleney drew a walk to begin the top of the seventh inning before Sharlize Palacios sent the first pitch of the at-bat into the Players’ Suite in left field to break the tie.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Sashel Palacios moved into the top spot of the leaderboard with 946 points following her 200-point performance, while McCleney continued her ascent up the league standings and holds fourth place with 820 points pending the result of the second game between Team Kilfoyl and Team Lorenz.

GAME NOTES

• Team McQuillin initiated a captain’s challenge with an out call on a fielder’s choice by outfielder Bubba Nickles in the bottom of the first inning … The challenge was unsuccessful after the call was upheld.

• Middle infielder Aubrey Leach has registered a hit in five consecutive games after opening the game with a single to left field … The former Tennessee standout has eight hits during the five-game run, including a three-hit performance last Sunday.

• Middle infielder Sis Bates saw her seven-game hitting streak come to an end after going 0-for-3 with a walk in Sunday’s win over Team McQuillin.

• Corner infielder Sam Fischer posted two hits in the victory on Sunday, marking her first hits since July 28.

• Outfielder Morgan Zerkle has a hit in six of her last seven outings after recording a double with two walks.

• Sharlize Palacios is the first player in the league with multiple home runs this season after belting her second homer of the campaign.

GAME MVPS

• #1 – Sharlize Palacios (Team Palacios, +60)
• #2 – Megan Faraimo (Team Palacios, +40)
• #3 – Bubba Nickles (Team McQuillin, +20)