Emma Lemley Shines in First Pro Start as Blaze Top Volts 3-1 in Wichita
Monday Evening in Wichita: Blaze vs. Volts Finale
Monday night softball in Wichita, Kansas wrapped up the three-game set between the Volts and the Blaze. The Volts entered the day with a 2-0 record in the series, looking to complete the sweep. But the Blaze, still searching for their first win, had other plans.
This one would feature two rookie pitchers making their first career pro starts, and both handled the moment like veterans.
Lemley Shows Early Composure
Emma Lemley got the call for the Blaze and took the circle with something to prove. Facing a Volts squad fresh off a 10-run outing the day before, Lemley started by issuing a leadoff walk to Amanda Lorenz. But she quickly settled in and escaped the inning with a key strikeout of Sierra Romero.
Across the diamond, Sam Landry, just a week removed from the college game, got the nod for the Volts. She looked as smooth as she did in Norman, retiring the Blaze in order with three straight groundouts. Her ability to live down in the zone stood out early.
Tiare Jennings Strikes First
After a quiet second inning, the Volts broke through in the third. Tiare Jennings got all of a pitch and sent it soaring over the scoreboard in left, giving the Volts a 1-0 lead. It was the only blemish on Lemley’s outing, but she didn’t let it rattle her.
Defensive Flash and Pitching Duels Continue
Ana Gold showed off her glove at third base in the fourth, snagging two tough foul popups, one nearly landing in the dugout. Lemley stayed sharp and struck out Sierra Romero for the second time, regaining complete control of the zone.
Meanwhile, Landry was cruising, until some tough luck found her in the fourth.
Blaze Capitalize on Chaos
Aubrey Leach dropped down a bunt for the Blaze’s first hit of the night. Then, Kayla Kowalik was hit on the hand by a pitch, and confirmed after review. Baylee Klingler followed with an awkward check-swing bunt that stayed fair to load the bases.
Danielle Gibson Whorton reached on an error, which resulted in Aubrey Leach scoring to tie the game. After a force out at home off a Korbe Otis grounder, Taylor Edwards brought in Klingler on a fielder’s choice to give the Blaze a 2-1 lead. The inning wasn’t flashy, but it was effective, and ultimately decisive.
Lemley Locks In
From there, Lemley was on a mission. She retired seven straight batters following the Jennings homer and looked in complete command. Her poise and location stood out, especially for a rookie in just her first pro start.
Gold led off the fifth with a single and was moved over by a well-placed sac bunt from Ciara Briggs. Jessie Warren made a terrific play to get the out from her knees at first, and that would close the book on Sam Landry’s day.
Blaze Threaten, Garcia Slams Door
Rachel Garcia entered for the Volts in the fifth, inheriting a runner on second. Aubrey Leach kept the Blaze rolling with a single to center, putting runners on the corners. Garcia got help from Tiare Jennings, who threw out Gold at home on a fielder’s choice. After a tense battle with Klingler, Garcia escaped the jam on a flyout to center.
Ricketts and Insurance
Keilani Ricketts came on in the sixth for the Blaze, replacing Lemley after a standout debut. Lemley finished with five strong innings of one-run ball, giving up just three hits with two strikeouts.
The Blaze added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. After a leadoff single by Gibson Whorton and a fielder’s choice by Otis, Anissa Urtez came through with a clutch RBI single up the middle, scoring Otis for a 3-1 lead.
Closing Time
Ricketts took care of business in the seventh, retiring the Volts in order to seal the Blaze’s first win of the season. It was a complete team effort, but the day belonged to Emma Lemley.
Final Lines
Emma Lemley (1-0): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K – 1.40 ERA
Sam Landry (0-1): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 K, 1 HBP – 1.62 ERA
Featured Image Courtesy of Blaze-AUSL
