Second Half of AUSL Season Set to Begin in Rosemont
Ready for the Second Half of the AUSL Season
It’s felt like forever since we’ve last seen action in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Finally, we’re just two days away from the second half getting underway in Rosemont, Illinois.
Right now, the Bandits and Talons are deadlocked at the top of the standings with matching 9-3 records. Meanwhile, the Volts (4-8) and Blaze (2-10) have some serious ground to make up if they want to be in the postseason picture. With the elite professional talent spread across these four teams, anything can happen.
Can the Blaze Turn Big Offense into Wins?
One of the things I’m most eager to see after this two-week break is whether the top-performing players can keep their momentum going. Even with the Blaze sitting in last place with just two wins, Baylee Klingler has been incredible. In 10 games, she’s slashing .500/.529/.781 with two home runs, 11 RBIs, and seven runs scored. Ana Gold and Danielle Gibson Whorton have been strong offensively as well.
The Blaze have firepower at the plate, but they’ve got to do a better job capitalizing on scoring opportunities. More importantly, they have to improve in the circle. They’ve allowed a league-high 21 home runs, 120 hits, 44 walks, and 86 earned runs. That’s not going to get it done if you want to win consistently.
Volts Still Have Time to Make a Second Half Push
As I mentioned at the end of the first half, I still think the Volts have a run in them. I expected them to be one of the top teams coming into the season. Sitting at 4-8, the window hasn’t closed. They just need sharper execution in key spots. With better situational hitting and timely offense, they can still turn this thing around.
Bandits and Talons Stay Steady at the Top
Then there’s the top dogs, the Bandits and Talons. Both teams have looked complete on both sides of the ball. The Talons are especially well-positioned down the stretch thanks to the recent rise of Georgina Corrick, Raelin Chaffin, and Megan Faraimo in the circle. Pair that with a productive lineup, and you’ve got a dangerous mix.
The Bandits, on the other hand, are leading the league across the board in the hitting department. They’ve set the tone all season offensively and continue to be the team to beat at the plate. Just looking down their team stat sheet, the numbers beside several players just pops. It is just a well disciplined team in the batter’s box and they execute their plan tremendously.
They are also opportunistic on the base paths, and put themselves in position to score. Leading the league as a team with 15 stolen bases, both Skylar Wallace and Bella Dayton lead the league with four each.
Their pitching staff deserves a lot of credit for their success. Lexi Kilfoyl enters the second half with a 3-0 record, striking out 18 while issuing only four walks over 23.2 innings pitched. She is elite, as Coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz said during a postgame press conference earlier this season. Taylor McQuillin has provided steady relief, recording 14 strikeouts to five walks in 13.2 innings, holding opponents to a .235 batting average and posting a 2-0 record.
Looking Ahead
With the season ready to continue, it’ll be interesting to see how everything shakes out. Will the standings hold steady with predictable results, or are we in for an exciting ride to the finish? One thing is for sure, there’s still plenty of softball left to be played, and anything can happen down the stretch. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
