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Talons secure first AUSL Championship

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby: Brady Vernon07/27/25BradyVernon
Screenshot 2025-07-27 at 2.19.25 PM
Photo courtesy of Jade Hewitt

The Talons took home two wins on Sunday to clinch the first AUSL Championship in Tuscaloosa.

Talons 3, Bandits 1

Georgina Corrick and Lexi Kilfoyl, the two best pitchers in the AUSL this season, faced off and lived up to expectations.

The Bandits finally broke through against Corrick in the fourth. Delanie Wisz led off with a single and Skylar Wallace followed with a full count walk. Bubba Nickles-Camarena dropped a ball into left field for an RBI single.

However, Corrick limited the damage as she did throughout the entire game. She retired the next three batters without allowing a run.

The Talons answered right back in the bottom of the fourth. Tori Vidales, who had not homered since Opening Day, lifted a solo shot to tie the game.

The Bandits decided to go Emiley Kennedy from the bullpen, but her free passes became an issue once again. Kennedy walked and hit the first two batters she faced, and a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. Caroline Jacobsen rolled a ball to Sydney McKinney at second base, who tried to cut the run at home, but a good slide by Sierra Sacco gave the Talons the lead. Vidales drove in another run via a sacrifice fly.

Rain forced the game to finish early on Sunday. Megan Faraimo pitched the seventh to secure the win for the Talons.

Talons 1, Bandits 0

Did Sooner Magic make its way to Tuscaloosa? Sydney Romero broke the scoreless contest, lifting a solo shot off a Lexi Kilfoyl changeup to push the Talons to a championship-clinching 1-0 win over the Bandits.

Meanwhile, Montana Fouts looked like her normal self in her former home field. She tossed a complete game shutout against the league’s best offense, allowing five hits and striking out a season-high seven batters.

The Talons had the first scoring chance in the third. Ali Aguilar became the first baserunner of the game after a leadoff single. Sierra Sacco then worked a full-count walk following a long at-bat. That gave Maya Brady and Sydney Romero a chance with runners on. However, Taylor McQuillin induced a pair of flyouts, including a sliding catch in foul territory by Morgan Zerkle.

The Bandits pushed Fouts in the bottom half of the third. Bubba Nickles-Camarena singled and moved into scoring position after a sacrfrice bunt. Bella Dayton then placed a perfect bunt that Fouts fielded but had no play on. Fouts induced a groundout by Zerkle, bringing up MVP Erin Coffel. The two battled until Coffel popped it up behind the plate. However, Sharlize Palacios dropped the ball and Coffel drew a walk to load the bases for Skylar Wallace. Fouts won the battle of the former Alabama teammates, getting Wallace to roll into an inning-ending groundball.

Coffel had another chance in the fifth after Dayton and Zerkle reached with two outs. Fouts prevailed again as Coffel flew out to end the threat.

Fouts was given the ball in the seventh to end what she started in the stadium she’s made so many great memories. Although Nickles-Camarena nearly led off the frame with a home run that ended up being a single after lining a ball hard off the top of the wall. Tori Vidales picked up her pitcher. She made a diving snag on a ball from Mary Iakopo and tagged first base for a double play. Fouts then ended the game, striking out Dayton to win the title.

“Our team is so selfless, and it’s been great to be a part of this group,” Romero said. “We’ve kept each other accountable, and good teams stay on top of the little things.”

Talons General Manager Lisa Fernandez spoke after the game as well about the growth of softball and where the sport is heading.

“The way they play the game is so impressive to watch. I’ve been around the game a little bit,” Talons general manager Lisa Fernandez said. “To see where it was when I played. I want to thank (Athletes Unlimited) for taking a chance on our sport, and (commissioner) Kim (Ng) was the missing piece and legitimized our sport. I feel like a proud mom. To see the growth of our game and see these guys reap the benefits.”

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