They're back! Talons set to defend title in return to AUSL Championship Series
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The Utah Talons, who won the first Athletes Unlimited Softball League Championship last season, became the first team to punch a ticket to the playoffs this season.
On Saturday, the Talons had a 5-4 comeback win against the Oklahoma City Spark to become the first club to guarantee a playoff berth. Utah used a three-run seventh inning to take the lead and ultimately complete the comeback against OKC.
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Down 3-2 in the seventh inning, outfielder Jadelyn Allchin evened the score with a game-tying solo home run. Later in the inning, catcher Sharlize Palacios crushed a go-ahead, game-winning two-run home run to help secure a win for the Talons.
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Starting pitcher Megan Faraimo also tossed a complete game for the Talons, striking out 10 batters in seven innings and allowing four runs.
In regards to the playoff format, the No. 1 seed will earn a direct bye into the best-of-three AUSL Championship Series, to be held July 25-27 at Davis Diamond in College Station, Texas.
The Nos. 2 and 3 seeds will play a single-elimination play-in game at Davis Diamond on July 23 to determine who advances to face the No. 1 seed in the finals.