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Homers Lead Team Ocasio to Victory, Lorenz Lead Extends on Leaderboard

Reitzheadshotby:Nicole Reitz•08/23/24•

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The final weekend of season five opened with a three-run blast from Bubba Nickles and a homer from Skylar Wallace to propel Team Ocasio to a win over Team Corrick. With great offense and pitching from Rachel Garcia, Team Lorenz was victorious over Team Kilfoyl.

Team Ocasio 5, Team Corrick 1

Aleshia Ocasio took the mound as a captain for the first time since 2022 and went head-to-head with Georgina Corrick who debuted in the captain position for the first time in her professional career. With Ocasio taking charge in the circle and putting together a lineup full of home run hitters, the ‘Blue’ took the 5-1 win over Team Corrick.

Team Ocasio got ahead of Corrick in the third when Nadia Taylor, Aliyah Andrews and Skylar Wallace collected singles, but it was Bubba Nickles who put the ‘Blue’ ahead and set the tone of the game with a three-run blast to left field. 

“It’s really nice to have a team that was super bought into being competitive and it really means a lot to be able to contribute for them,” Nickels said. “I know that each person that Aleshia drafted, she had the intention of having a loose team, but making sure we are super competitive. I just really wanted to contribute in any way that I could. No one can plan for a home run, but it was awesome to be able to put us on the board.” 

Ocasio fell behind a bit in the fourth inning, allowing two singles and a walk, but she was able to fight out of the bases-loaded jam scot-free. From there, the bats continued to soar for Team Ocasio and Skylar Wallace put up a solo home run of her own to right field to extend the lead. 

Ocasio pulled herself from the mound in the fifth after the unsteady inning before and Megan Faraimo took over. Leadoff batter Aubrey Leach tripled down the right field line and Sashel Palacios flew out to drive in Team Corrick’s only run of the game. 

Valerie Cagle entered for Team Corrick and Team Ocasio’s offense continued to flourish. Erika Piancastelli singled immediately in the top of the seventh. Taylor followed up with a single to center field to drive in the run. 

MVP honors were awarded to Nickles (1088 total points), Wallace (1410 total points) and Ocasio (1522 total points). 

Team Lorenz 5, Team Kilfoyl 1

Way atop the leaderboard, Amanda Lorenz built a lineup that could propel her to being crowned champion, and her offense certainly put her in a comfortable position on the leaderboard during game two with a 5-1 victory over Team Kilfoyl. 

“I just wanted to get the best available players (when drafting) and people I know that I can win with but also people I am ok losing with,” Lorenz said. “Rachel Gracia and Jessi Warren, they are some of our sports best, so having them on my team, I feel really good about where my team is at. It’s hard not to think about (the leaderboard) but I am really trying to create an environment to help my team climb the leaderboard because without win points in this league, it’s hard to be at the top, so I am focused on winning.” 

After Lexi Kilfoyl allowed a walk, Jessi Warren singled and McKenzie Clark tripled to kick off the scoring for the ‘Purple’ with a three-run inning. 

Victoria Hayward doubled to left field and added two more runs causing Kilfoyl to take herself out of the game. Kathryn Sandercock entered and held down the Team Lorenz bats, finishing with two strikeouts and allowing no more runs to score. 

Rachel Garcia led the way for Team Lorenz in the circle finishing with six strikeouts over four innings. Immaculate defense was right behind her with Warren making an outstanding catch behind her head in foul territory.

Alyssa Denham came in for relief of Garcia and was combining for a shutout until Team Kilfoyl  found their way to the scoreboard. Tori Vidales singled up the middle and scored Sydney McKinney for their lone run of the night. 

MVP honors were awarded to Garcia (886 total points), Victoria Hayward (1246 total points) and Warren (650 total points). 

AU Softball Leaderboard

1. Amanda Lorenz – 1670 points
2. Aleshia Ocasio – 1522 pts
3. Skylar Wallace – 1410 pts
4. Georgina Corrick – 1360 pts
5. Kelsey Harshman – 1328 pts

Series Five continues with a pair of games on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET and 5:30 ET on Bally Sports Network. 

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