Sam Fischer

Recap: Fischer's two home runs propel Team Chidester past Team Mulipola

© Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2022 / Credit: Jade Hewitt Media
Eric Rhew
Aug 12, 2022

ROSEMONT, Ill. — With the game on the line, corner infielder Sam Fischer was going to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, the scoreboard in right center field took the brunt of it.

Fischer’s second home run of the game, a two-run shot off the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning, capped a three-run outburst by Team Chidester en route to a 4-2 victory over Team Mulipola to complete Friday’s Athletes Unlimited Softball doubleheader at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

The multi-home run performance lifted Fischer into MVP 1 honors along with securing 248 leaderboard points. Fischer went 2-for-2 with her two home runs in addition to a walk and three runs batted in.

Pitcher Alyssa Denham garnered MVP 2 accolades after earning the win in relief. Denham, who improved to 2-0 in the circle, finished with 176 leaderboard points after conceding just three hits over 3.0 innings with two strikeouts.

Carrie Eberle (2-2) suffered the loss after giving up three unearned runs over 2.0 innings with one hit and one strikeout. Outfielder Aliyah Andrews paced Team Mulipola offensively with three hits to MVP 3 distinction.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing by a 2-1 margin heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Team Chidester struck for three unearned runs after a pair of errors extended the frame. Outfielder Erika Piancastelli evened the score at 2-all with one out when she scored on a fielding error. Fischer followed with her second home run of the game, a two-run blast off the scoreboard in right center field for a 4-2 lead. Team Chidester overcame a one-out single in the top of the seventh by inducing a double play to end the game.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Fischer lifted her position on the leaderboard by nine spots, moving into fourth place with 826 points. She trails teammate Amanda Chidester by just 18 points after Chidester remained in third place following the victory. Catcher Dejah Mulipola dropped one spot to second place after being limited to just 60 points in Friday’s loss.

GAME NOTES

  • Team Chidester challenged the advancement of outfielder Shannon Rhodes to third base on a fly ball in the top of the third inning … The call was overturned and Rhodes was called out.

  • Middle infielder Hannah Flippen fashioned the third triple of the season in the top of the third inning and scored on a throwing error on the play.

  • Fischer became the 17th different player to hit a home run this season with her solo home run to lead off the second inning … It was also the eighth leadoff home run of the season through 14 games.

  • Fischer also became the second player this season to produce multiple home runs in a game … Catcher Sahvanna Jaquish hit two home runs against Team Eberle on July 31.

  • Fischer’s second home run of the game marked the 200th all-time home run hit in Athletes Unlimited Softball Championship Season play … There were 100 home runs hit in the inaugural 2020 campaign before 66 home runs were hit last season … Through 14 games this summer, there have been 34 home runs.

  • The game was completed in 1 hour, 42 minutes, which is the shortest game time this season.

  • Team Mulipola suffered its first loss in four games this season … The squad went 3-0 in Week Two while donning the Blue uniforms.

GAME MVPS

  • #1 – Sam Fischer (Team Chidester, +60)
  • #2 – Alyssa Denham (Team Chidester, +40)
  • #3 – Aliyah Andrews (Team Mulipola, +20)

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