The inaugural Athletes Unlimited pro softball season finished on Monday with the last two games of the 30-game season. Left-handed pitcher Cat Osterman earned the most individual points among the elite players and was crowned champion after five weeks of competition.
Osterman, who will participate in her third Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 after winning a gold medal in Athens 2004 and a silver medal in Beijing 2008, collected 95 Ks through 64 IP, for a 1.53 ERA. She pitched six complete games and her overall win-loss record was 13-1.
Jessica Warren, Erika Piancastelli and Victoria Hayward completed the top four players and also received a medal. Players from three different nations were the top four finishers: USA (Osterman and Warren), Italy (Piancastelli) and Canada (Hayward). USA Softball outfielder Haylie McCleney was named Defensive Player of the Year.
The Athletes Unlimited competition format is centred on a player’s performance, not the teams. During the games, players get points for “winning” each inning, and also for each of their individual statistics.
The Athletes Unlimited Softball featured 57 of the world’s best players, including national team members from Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and USA -- some likely to play at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
All games were broadcast by CBS Sports Network and ESPN in the US and Canada, ESPN Play in Latin America and The Olympic Channel for the rest of the world.
Photo: Twitter Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports)
