Oxford, AL – Fiser is back with another impressive pitching performance and Iakopo hits game-winning home run in Oxford’s Smash It Sports Vipers defeated Oklahoma City Spark 4-1.
By Joe Medley
The pitcher-catcher duo consisting of Amber Fiser and Mark Iakopo is clearly a brain unit and their partnership is responsible for both Smash It Sports Vipers’ success this season.
They also took responsibility on Wednesday.
Fiser knocked out nine batters during her second consecutive game-winning complete game and Iokopo scored all four runs during the Vipers defeated an opponent called the Oklahoma City Spark 4-1 at Choccolocco Park.
The Vipers had their second win without error in a row, and improved to 2-7 in the nascent women’s professional fastpitch league. Both wins were on the current homestand, which also included an all-star set against Texas Smoke. Texas Smoke.
“Not just to be able to be able to win in the home games but also to be a winning team and keep the momentum up, it’s huge to us.” Iakopo said. “Just to be able to have the support of our players it’s fun to play.”
Fiser who pitched the Vipers’ 6-0 victory against the Smoke on the 24th of June she returned to the scene on Wednesday in her next outing. It was the same for the Spark. Spark (8-2) recorded its only run thanks to Michelle Moultrie’s RBI single to draw the game at 1-1 during the second in the second.
Fiser, who was a ex- All-American at Minnesota’s University of Minnesota, split two battles against his Spark teammate Jocelyn Alo, the 2022 Women’s College World Series MVP from Oklahoma. Fiser took her out on the first inning, but struck her out in the fifth innings.
“I thought”Well I’m not sure if this is going be repeated. It’s been lots of amusement and I’m very happy,'” Fiser said. “Every pitch, you’re required to adjust to her.
“She’s the top player in the nation. She’s a formidable player. She’s a skilled player. Naturally, she has power, but it’s also fun when you have a friend you’re throwing at.”
Lefty Sydney Sherrill got three of the Spark’s five hits on Fiser however, Alo, Hayley Lee and Fa Leilua were of 0-for-8, with just one walk.
“I think her changeup made a difference tonight specifically in the face of Alo and Fa the big hitters. 3-4-5,” Vipers coach Gerry Glasco stated. “She had some amazing changes.”
Iakopo’s four RBIs include her sac fly that helped score Brooke Wilmes in the bottom of the first.
When Iakopo made his way to the plate in the final inning of the sixth Iakopo, formerly a University of Texas standout saw bases full. Wilmes reached on a third wild pitch. Suzy Brookshire and Makena Smith were walked.
Iakopo then followed Smith by hitting a double to the left-center field off Spark the Spark starter Donnie Gobourne.
The game-winning shot was the final blow of a long, hard-fought day after the Vipers defeat of 3-0 by Spark Spark on Tuesday. the Vipers had four hits against former Oklahoma player Keilani Ricketts.
“We were just a bit of work to do the other day,” Iakopo said. “I felt exhausted from taking 100 at bats off of the bat, but it turned out to our advantage.
“We simply need to be able to trust the process and our coach.”
