AUSL started with a good duel
Bandits Take Win over Talons in First AUSL Game
History was made today in Rosemont, Illinois, as the Athletes Unlimited Softball League officially opened its inaugural season. The debut game featured a showdown between the Bandits and the Talons — and it didn’t disappoint. In the circle were two of the college game’s most dominant arms: Lexi Kilfoyl, the former Oklahoma State ace, and Alabama legend Montana Fouts.
Kilfoyl opened the game in total control, retiring the Talons in order on just eight pitches. She looked composed, confident, and ready to take the next step as a pro. Fouts, meanwhile, took the ball for the Talons and faced veteran Morgan Zerkle to lead things off. Zerkle, a staple in AUX and the current head coach at Marshall, ripped a leadoff double to left-center. But Fouts quickly settled in, retiring the next three hitters including a strikeout of Bubba Nickles-Camarena to get out of the jam.
Through two innings, both pitchers were sharp. Kilfoyl allowed just one hit — a single to former Clemson Tiger Caroline Jacobsen — and struck out one. Fouts worked around a two-out double to Delanie Wisz and kept the Bandits off the board.
The game’s first breakthrough came in the top of the third, when Sierra Sacco turned on an 0-1 pitch and sent it over the wall for the first home run in AUSL history. The solo shot gave the Talons a 1-0 lead. Sydney Romero followed with an infield single, and Skylar Wallace made a diving attempt but came up just short. Though briefly shaken up, Wallace stayed in the game.
Fouts returned to the circle in the bottom half, protecting a slim lead. Sydney McKinney worked a leadoff walk, and after a fielder’s choice forced her out at second, Zerkle reached. Fouts then hit Wallace on the elbow, putting two on with one out. After a flyout moved Zerkle to third, Erin Coffel stepped in and delivered the swing of the game — a two-run triple to the wall that brought home both runners and flipped the lead in favor of the Bandits, 2-1.
It was the first real trouble Fouts had faced all game, and the Bandits made it count.
Kilfoyl came back out in the fourth and kept dealing. She worked around another single from Jacobsen and struck out both Ali Aguilar and Bri Ellis to complete four innings of one-run ball — an impressive pro debut for the former Cowgirl.
In the bottom of the fourth, Cori McMillan — the No. 4 overall pick out of Virginia Tech — collected her first AUSL hit with a single through the 5-6 hole. But Fouts kept the damage to a minimum with a quick double play and groundout to end the inning.
Taylor McQuillin entered in the fifth to relieve Kilfoyl and protect the Bandits’ one-run lead. She walked Jadelyn Allchin to open the frame, and Sacco followed with a sac bunt to move her into scoring position. But McQuillin held steady, retiring Victoria Hayward and Romero to strand the runner at third.
The Bandits tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. McKinney reached on a comebacker that hit Fouts in the ankle. Though she remained in the game, the Talons opted to bring in Mariah Lopez, a free agent out of Utah. Wallace then grounded to third, and Sydney Romero’s throw sailed over first, allowing McKinney to score and extend the lead to 3-1.
The sixth inning saw McMillan and Jordan Roberts reach base for the Bandits, but they were left stranded as Lopez managed to escape without further damage. The Talons had one last chance in the seventh.
Bri Ellis led off with a walk after falling behind in the count, but McQuillin stayed composed and slammed the door. The Talons couldn’t mount a rally, and the Bandits came away with a 3-1 win in the very first AUSL regular-season game.
Seeing these college stars suit up together at the pro level was a reminder of just how much talent is in this league. Kilfoyl and Fouts — two names synonymous with dominance in college softball — gave fans the matchup they hoped for. And with the backing of Major League Baseball, this league is just getting started.
This was more than just a game — it was a moment. A long-overdue stage for elite women’s softball talent, and it’s only going to grow from here.
Featured Image Courtesy of: Athletes Unlimited Softball League
