“We Don’t Have to Strike Everybody Out” – Corrick, Defense Carry Talons to Game 1 Win
It took two different days to do it, but the Talons took Game 1 of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Championship Series, 3-1.
Largely in part to Tori Vidales’ two-RBI game, which included that game-tying home run way back in the bottom of the fourth inning, and the strategic and well-played outing from Georgina Corrick and the Talons defense.
Corrick tossed a gem, holding the Bandits to one run across six innings. The Bandits outhit the Talons 8-3, but timely defense and Corrick’s ability to make pitches in key moments got it done.
Afterwards, I asked Corrick how it felt to limit the Bandits to one run despite giving up eight hits, and her thoughts on the defense behind her.
“I think it’s very freeing as a pitcher when you have the kind of defensive prowess that I have behind me. I mean, obviously, Hannah Flippen, Defensive Player of the Year, rightfully so. I think she is the best shortstop in this league. It gives me a lot of freedom, and especially Sharlize Palacios behind the plate, a lot of freedom to call what we want.”
Flippen made several smooth plays at short and recorded three putouts with two assists in the game.
Corrick continued on the theme of “freedom” and how their game plan doesn’t hinge on strikeouts.
“We don’t have to feel like we need to strike everybody out…”
Corrick only recorded two strikeouts in the game, and that was totally fine. She emphasized the value of pitch sequencing, trusting the defense, and avoiding risky strikeout pitches.
“So knowing that I can kind of work my defense and trust that I can throw myself off of the plate or make a heavy change of speed, which is what I usually do, trusting that they’re going to be working behind me, hopefully try and turn some double plays, be able to cover the gaps that usually aren’t covered.
It gives me a lot of freedom to throw what I want to throw, as opposed to trying to do the big strikeouts. Unfortunately, big strikeouts are sometimes high risk, high reward. You throw a pitch that’s a big strikeout pitch, it also can be a big home run pitch. So it gives me a lot of opportunity to work with the ground,” said Corrick.
Megan Faraimo entered in the seventh to slam the door, and she did just that. The only hit she allowed was to AUSL MVP Erin Coffel, but that was all the Bandits could muster. Faraimo struck out Morgan Zerkle and Danielle Gibson Whorton to help seal the deal.
Now, it’s on to Game 2.
A quick turnaround awaits. The Talons will aim to lock up the title, but head coach Howard Dobson kept it grounded in his postgame message.
“But now we just refocus. Game one’s over and that’s past us now, and now we’re worried about and have to figure out how to win one game out of two. And we’ll play one game at a time. I know it’s coach speak, but it is true. We play one inning, one game, one pitch at a time.”
Talons and Bandits Game 2 is coming up at 2:00 PM EDT / 1:00 PM CT on ESPN.
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