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Bandits, Volts claim AUSL Opening Day wins

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby: Brady Vernon06/08/25BradyVernon
Screenshot 2025-06-07 at 3.31.44 PM
Photo courtesy of AUSL

The Bandits downed the Talons in Rosemont on Opening Day. The Volts and Blaze needed extra innings to decide their AUSL Opening Day matchup.

Bandits 3, Talons 1

Two former Alabama teammates earned the inaugural starts of AUSL. First-overall pick Lexi Kilfoyl took the ball for the Bandits against the Talons’ Montana Fouts. However, it was a former SEC foe that stole the show.

The Bandits struggled with runners in scoring position most of the day, going 1-for-11 in those opportunities. Although the one made the difference. On a 2-2 pitch from Fouts, Erin Coffel lined a two-out triple to the wall to give her team the lead.

They pushed across an insurance run in the fifth. The Bandits benefited from a Talons’ error. Sydney Romero airmailed a throw on a ball from Skylar Wallace that allowed the quick Sydney McKinney to score.

Kilfoyl didn’t run into much trouble during her four innings of work. She allowed a home run to Sierra Sacco in her first career at-bat, but only allowed five hits, with the other four all being singles. Taylor McQuillin picked up the save, going three innings, yielding only one hit.

Volts 5, Blaze 1 (F/8)

The pitchers dominated the duel in Wichita, but McKenzie Clark stole the show. Her three-run no-doubter in the eighth sealed the deal for the Volts.

Michaela Edenfield gave the Volts their first lead earlier in the eighth. The Florida State rookie singled to score Danieca Coffey, who was placed at second to start the inning.

The Volts opened the third inning with three straight hits in the third to score their first run. Amanda Lorenz and Ali Newland reached behind Jessie Warren, who tied the game on a single. Emma Lemley came in for the Blaze and limited the damage. She got out of the bases-loaded, no-out jam to keep the game tied.

Volts starter Rachel Garcia got off to a rocky start. After allowing a two-out single to Baylee Klingler, Danielle Gibson-Whorton doubled her in. Garcia retired the next eight batters she faced after allowing the back-to-back hits. She surrendered only two more hits the rest of the game. Garcia went eight innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out eight batters.

AUSL Standings

Bandits 1-0
Volts 1-0
Blaze 0-1
Talons 0-1

The teams will both have rematches on Sunday. The Bandits and Talons square off at 2 p.m. ET and the Blaze take on the Volts at 6 p.m. ET.

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