Coffel keys Bandits' win with 2-run triple in AUSL opener
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ROSEMONT, Ill -- Last week, Erin Coffel was in Oklahoma City working as a graduate manager for Florida as the Gators took on Tennessee in the Women’s College World Series.
On Saturday afternoon, she had the game-winning hit for the Bandits in their 3-1 Opening Day victory over the Talons to kick off the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s inaugural season.
“When did you get here, three days ago?” Bandits coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz asked Coffel, who was named the Player of the Game, in the postgame press conference.
A quick turnaround that didn’t seem to faze the University of Kentucky’s all-time home run leader, who credited the coaching staff for helping her adjust quickly.
“I just think the coaches did a really good job of structuring practice,” Coffel said. “I mean, the days were long and they were a grind, but we learned a lot about each other and I think that’s kind of what you have to do. It’s going to be a grind at the beginning. But we also did a lot of team bonding and team events.”
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A week of long practices with trips to Top Golf and group dinners squeezed in were part of a longer build-up to bring the professional softball league to life. And full of life The Stadium at Parkway Bank Sports Complex was on Saturday.
Some of the fans in the sell-out crowd of 2,013 began lining up over three hours before the first pitch was thrown. Once the gates opened, fans enjoyed a live band, a hair braiding station, batting tees, meet-and-greets with softball legends and more.
The energy continued through to first pitch and was matched throughout the game. Fans held homemade signs, rang cowbells and got on their feet for every big play.
“In between pitches I could definitely feel the energy,” Coffel said. “I definitely noticed [the vibe], but when I’m up to bat, I’m locked into the zone. But each pitch it’s so cool to see, because the energy kind of makes me feel like I’m in college again. Which is super cool, because college softball is up. Everyone watches it, so to have that in the professional space is awesome.”
Coffel was locked in with a two-strike count and two outs in the third inning facing four-time All-American pitcher Montana Fouts. Coffel tripled to right-center to score Skylar Wallace and Morgan Zerkle, who was responsible for the first hit in the AUSL two innings earlier.
A lot of firsts were checked off on Saturday (including the first home run courtesy of Talons rookie Sierra Sacco) before the AUSL’s second game between the Blaze and Volts in Wichita, Kan., got underway. With a full slate of games scheduled for this summer, there’s plenty of potential for more historical moments.
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“The sport has never been in a better place or a better position to take advantage of where women’s athletics are in general, where women’s professional sports [are],” Nuveman-Deniz said. “For me personally, I’m just a little itty bitty part of it, and I’m OK with that. I’m just really honored and proud to be whatever part of it I am.
“To be here to support and put these women on the stage that they deserve and watch them do their thing. And we got to see that today. It’s the beginning of many, many awesome moments in this league, for this player here and for our team.”