In their final series of the year, the Volts’ offense exploded. In two games, they scored 10 runs with 18 hits. Even though they fell in game one, in game two, they came out victorious, beating the Talons, who finished at the top of the AUSL through the regular season.
GAME 1 | Talons 6, Volts 4
The Talons jumped out to a quick lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. The Volts responded in the top of the second when Erika Piancastelli hit a two-run home run. But the Talons chipped away, scoring in the fourth and fifth innings to eventually win by two. Maya Brady was 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the winning team.
GAME 2 | Volts 6, Talons 4
The Volts scored early in game two and never took their foot off the gas. Jessi Warren showed that she isn’t just great on defense, she’s also fantastic at the plate, going 3-for-4. Mia Scott was great in the clutch, finishing with three RBIs.
Sierra Romero was 2-for-4 for the team in purple and green and was overall pleased with the performance of the Volts.
“We just knew what we were capable of doing,” Romero said. “We’ve been in so many close ballgames, tonight we got the key hits when we needed them.”
In the circle, Sam Landry and Payton Gottshall combined to allow just five hits in seven innings. Gottshall struck out six batters in her four innings of work.
It was also exciting for Alabama alum and Volts Head Coach Kelly Kretschman.
“I think this was my first win here as a coach,” she said. “I’m so proud of this team. They’ve stuck together all year long. I know we wanted to win more games, but it’s a true testament of these players as pro athletes and how they stayed together and fought until the end and tonight really paid off for them.”
GENERAL TAKEAWAYS
Both games in the series showed that the Volts have hitters with great pop and can execute in the big moments, despite a season of some struggles.
In addition, Gottshall continued to show her value in the circle. Her ability to keep hitters off balance helped keep the Volts in games and wait for the bats to come alive.
This series also showed the competitiveness of the. Despite the Volts having an 8-16 record, they can still hang with the top team in the league. It shows promise and excitement for the Volts next season, but also the league as a whole.
Maria Trivelpiece is currently the Director of Video Communications and Reporter at the American Athletic Conference and a softball color analyst. Trivelpiece was an outfielder at Fordham University and still stays involved with the game through coaching and covering the sport. You can follow her on X M_Trivelpiece or Instagram @_mariatrivelpiece
