Chaffin and the Talons Close Out Series Win Over Bandits in Omaha
Sunday Showdown in Omaha Ends with Talons on Top
The Talons and Bandits met Sunday afternoon in Omaha’s Connie Claussen Field for a rubber match after a series that had seen drama and excitement. Friday’s wild, walk-off win belonged to the Talons. Saturday saw the Bandits completely flip the script, run ruling the Talons 9-1. So what kind of game would we get in the finale?
Montana Fouts made her much-anticipated return to the circle after a month away due to injury. Her last action came back on June 14 in Chattanooga. With all eyes on her, the Talons were hoping she could spark a series win.
This matchup has been neck and neck all season. Entering Sunday, the Bandits held a narrow 4-3 edge in the seven previous meetings.
Fouts Returns and the Talons Strike First
The Bandits came out swinging right away, with Morgan Zerkle doubling off the left field wall to start the game. Montana Fouts then settled in quickly and stranded Zerkle after three quick outs.
In the bottom of the inning, the Talons struck first. Sierra Sacco reached on a walk, stole second, moved to third on a Hannah Flippen single, and came in to score on a Tori Vidales groundout to give the Talons a 1-0 lead.
Fouts moved smoothly through the second inning and found her rhythm. She notched strikeouts on Sydney McKinney and Delanie Wisz and looked sharp despite the layoff.
Kilfoyl, meanwhile, was working efficiently. She allowed just one hit through two and used both sides of the plate well, finishing the second by freezing Sahvanna Jaquish on a perfectly placed strike.
Bandits Respond and Talons Fire Right Back
In the third, Bella Dayton worked an eight-pitch walk but was erased by a rocket throw from Jaquish behind the plate. That defensive play was followed by a bunt single from Zerkle and then a two-run blast from Skylar Wallace to give the Bandits a 2-1 lead. Erin Coffel followed with a single before the inning came to a close.
Still, Fouts had looked solid through three, and outside of that one mistake to Wallace, you couldn’t ask for much more after a month off.
Odicci Alexander came in to start the bottom half of the inning for the Bandits, but the Talons were ready. Jadelyn Allchin singled with one out, and Flippen reached after a Bandits miscue. Vidales then singled on an 0-2 pitch out of the zone to load the bases. Vidales is a tough bat, and connecting on that one showed why.
Caroline Jacobsen, one of the most consistent bats in the Talons lineup, drove in the tying run with a single to left. Allchin also came around on an error to make it 3-2.
Ali Aguilar, Friday night’s walk-off hero, then cleared the bases with a 2RBI-double to stretch the lead to 5-2. That was the end of the line for Alexander as Sarah Willis entered and got a much-needed strikeout of Bri Ellis with a sneaky change.
After walking Jaquish to load the bases again, Willis managed to escape by inducing a Sacco flyout that ended the inning thanks to a sliding grab by Zerkle.
Chaffin Shines in Relief
With the Talons up 5-2, Raelin Chaffin came in to pitch the fourth and looked locked in from the first pitch. She retired the side in order, including a strikeout to start things off to Bubba Nickles-Camarena. Chaffin has quietly been one of the most reliable pitchers in the league, and once again she was on point.
In the bottom of the inning, Vidales drew a walk after a tough battle at the plate. Jacobsen singled, and Zerkle’s error in left allowed Vidales to score, extending the Talons’ lead to 6-2.
Chaffin worked another clean frame in the fifth, and the game hit a bit of a lull as both she and Willis had settled things down.
Late Threat Falls Short for Bandits
In the bottom of the sixth, Emiley Kennedy took over for the Bandits. Allchin, who had another fantastic day, recorded the only hit of the inning. With the return of Maya Brady nearing, it will be interesting to see what Allchin’s role becomes, but she continues to prove her value.
Chaffin came out for the seventh looking to close it. She issued her first walk to Wisz and then allowed an RBI-double to Cori McMillan, who pinch hit for Mary Iakopo and made it a 6-3 game.
After Dayton flied out and moved McMillan to third, Chaffin shut the door by freezing Zerkle with a strikeout to end the game.
Final Notes and Takeaways
The Talons win the series and even the regular season head-to-head at four games apiece. Raelin Chaffin earned her fifth win of the year, going four innings and allowing just one run on one hit, with one walk and two strikeouts.
Chaffin was lights out once again, and Montana Fouts’ return looked promising heading into the end of the season. With Fouts back and the staff depth showing out, the Talons look ready for a strong finish down the stretch. They have already clinched their spot in Tuscaloosa, but you know they will still give the same great effort to finish the rest of the regular season games out.
“You play to win the game. Hello!”, Herm Edwards
