Team Palacios Sweeps Series 3, Kilfoyl Throws Third Complete Game
After inclement weather canceled last Wednesday’s games at the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, North Carolina, Series Three came to an end today at Parkway Bank Sports Complex with a win from Team Kilfoyl and a sweep from Team Palacios.
Team Kilfoyl 4, Team McQuillin 3
Resuming where Wednesday’s rainout game left off in the second inning, Team Kilfoyl made slight tweaks to their lineup, which made all the difference in their 4-3 victory over Team McQuillin.
Hannah Borden took the fifth spot in the lineup in place of Taylor Edwards and with an offspeed pitch from Alyssa Denham, Borden’s first hit of her professional career was a solo home run.
In addition to Borden’s solo shot, RBIs defined early scoring for the ‘Orange’ with Caroline Jacobsen doubling to left center to score the game’s first run. Sydney Romero followed with her second double of the game to add a pair of runs to the board.
Lexi Kilfoyl continued to dominate in her rookie campaign. She retired nine in a row until she allowed a base runner in the fifth. Team McQuillin and Erin Coffel quickly began to notice Kilfoyl’s pattern and Coffel took an offspeed pitch over the wall and put this game within two runs. Coffel’s home run marks her second of the season, and the first home run Kilfoyl has given up in her professional career.
Kilfoyl was able to throw a complete game and secure the win, but not without a fight. Sierra Romero hit a shot just over Jacobsen’s glove in center field for a solo home run. Kilfoyl found her way out of the jam and finished with six strikeouts.
MVP honors were awarded to Borden (508 total points), Jacobsen (728 total points) and Coffel (870 total points).
Team Palacios 13, Team Lorenz 7
With a sweep of Series Three on the line, Team Palacios refused to be taken down. Down one run in the fifth inning with two outs and two runners on, Kalei Harding’s three-run home run and Sharlize Palacios’s insurance grand slam in the sixth secured the deal for the ‘Purple’.
Team Palacios started this game looking immaculate. With bases loaded and no outs, Aleshia Ocasio struggled on the mound and walked in the first run of the game. Captain Sashel Palacios then grounded into a double play, but Sis Bates was still able to score from third for the RBI.
Team Lorenz quickly fought back in the second with Aliyah Andrews doubling to left field for an RBI. After a few unplayable balls by Team Palacio’s infield, the bases became loaded and Georgina Corrick hit Kelsey Harshman to tie the game.
With two outs, Tori Vidales singled to left field to drive in another two runs and Corrick was pulled from the mound. Valerie Cagle entered and walked another runner, but was able to strikeout Anissa Urtez to end the inning.
Urtez got her redemption though in the fourth inning when she doubled to left field for a two-run RBI. Andrews also continued to have a phenomenal night when she made a diving catch over her shoulder in center field.
The fourth inning is where the lead started to slip from Team Lorenz. Odicci Alexander took the mound for Ocasio and Andrea Filler homered to left field, putting this game within two runs. Mariah Mazon entered the circle in the fifth and Harding’s go-ahead home run changed the game.
Ocasio reentered the game and with no outs, Sis Bates tacked on an RBI to load the bases that allowed Palacios to rip a grand slam to center field.
Into the seventh inning, captain Amanda Lorenz hit a solo home run of her own to try and get her team back in this game, but Megan Faraimo was able to hold the defense down.
MVP honors were awarded to Harding (710 total points), Sharlize Palacios (888 total points) and Faraimo (952 total points).
AU Softball Leaderboard
1. Amanda Lorenz – 1060 points
2. Sashel Palacios – 1056 pts
3. Lexi Kilfoyl – 1036 pts
4. Megan Faraimo – 952 pts
5. Skylar Wallace – 950 pts
Lorenz, Sashel Palacios, Kilfoyl and Faraimo will be captains heading into Series Four starting on Friday, August 16.
