What Will it Take to Win the 2024 AU Pro Softball Title?

This is a look at previous winners and a prediction of what it would take for each to be the season’s champion.

Can Amanda Lorenz remain golden?

The short answer? Probably.

Lorenz has a 230-point lead on Corrick right now. Historically, the Gold team captain in Week Three becomes the champion. Previous winners Cat Osterman, Aleshia Ocasio, Dejah Mulipola, and Odicci Alexander reached the No. 1 spot in Week Three and held it through the final game.

Her point differential right now could be described as comfortable. Season One Champion Osterman had the largest margin of any athlete heading into the final week of games with a 410-point lead. Season Four Champion Alexander was 246+ points over second and third and the odds of a position player making up that kind of ground in three games is slim.

The closest race there’s been heading into a championship weekend was between Ocasio and Amanda Chidester, who was only 56 points behind. But with Ocasio’s ability to throw extended innings that season (she tossed 5 innings in the final three games in 2021) she was locked in to be the champion.

Who could have a come-from-behind win?

Corrick and Ocasio are the most likely contenders for the Championship aside from Lorenz. Both being pitchers is what puts them in the race. Pitchers have a higher potential for stat points the longer they throw but also a greater risk of losing points by giving up runs. Corrick and Ocasio have both had some high-earning weeks as outlined below.

Corrick’s week-to-week Stat points:

• Week 1: 14
• Week 2: 72
• Week 3: 18
• Week 4: 96

Ocasio’s week-to-week stat points:

• Week 1: 24
• Week 2: 102
• Week 3: 38
• Week 4: 60

But Lorenz’s bat is not just hot – it’s on fire. She has 22 hits in 40 at-bats and a good chunk were for extra bases. Lorenz has knocked a double and three home runs for a league-best .700 slugging percentage. Not to mention her five walks and measly three strikeouts. This isn’t a flame that will suddenly be shut out. In fact, Lorenz has proven to thrive under pressure.

Lorenz’s week-to-week stat points:

• Week 1: 70
• Week 2: 70
• Week 3: 90
• Week 4: 100

Will Win and MVP points be a factor?

Lorenz’s lead gives her wiggle room. If her teams don’t rack up win points, she could still perform well to keep first place (or vice versa). For Ocasio and Corrick to battle into the top spot a couple of things have to go their way:

1. They’d need to win their games versus Team Lorenz and take a majority of the inning Win Points
2. They’d need to win at least one if not all of their Week Five games
3. They’d need another opponent to beat Team Lorenz to have the advantage in Win Points

Although Kilfoyl is in the top four, she’s behind Ocasio by 42 points. Because they’re both pitchers, that’s where the challenge for Kilfoyl would lie. They both have the propensity to rack up stat points and unless Ocasio doesn’t call her own number to enter the circle, Kilfoyl would have a hard time passing her.

A must-see finale

Despite the different possibilities, each athlete’s championship arc is compelling.

Lorenz would be the second position player to win the Championship Season title and the first outfielder in league history. Ocasio would be the first to ever repeat in AU Pro Softball. Corrick would go from stepping into the captain’s role for the first time to controlling her fate to become the champ.

It’s a can’t-miss finale.

Week Five competition begins on Friday night. You can view the schedule and where to watch here.

Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Twitter @savannaecollins.