A sellout crowd beyond the 1,400 stadium capacity packed Dumke Family Stadium at the University of Utah on Tuesday evening as the Talons rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a 5-2 win over the Chicago Bandits in a rematch of last year's AUSL championship series.
So when Matina, her husband Sam and the couple's two sons, heard that Utah was inheriting a professional fastpitch softball team with the second-yearA capacity crowd swelled beyond the 1,400 officially noted at Dumke Family Stadium at the University of Utah on Tuesday evening as the Talons"Honestly, I'm not sure was getting the recognition it deserves — but I feel like now, it finally is," Kristin Matina said.
"The community just comes together and really roots for each other," she added. "It's a smaller community, but everyone knows everyone. We're definitely good at rooting on our teams, but especially this one here.
" Fans were treated to an even faster-paced version of the game that many of them grew up playing in travel leagues, high school and college. A 15-second pitch clock kept innings moving, and teams had two minutes between innings to clear the field and send the first batter to the plate.
, which has committed to broadcasting 50 games on the family of networks including Game 1 of the championship series on ABC — the first time professional softball will be broadcast on over-the-air television. It's an investment in the game that ESPN hopes to capitalize on after averaging 2.5 million viewers for Game 2 of the Women's College World Series championship series between Texas and Texas Tech.threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Montana Fouts' final out to preserve a 5-2 win, Talons fans were engaged and attentive, with chants of "caw-CAW!
" and "Claws up! " echoing from the main grandstand to the small berm behind the outfield wall. One of the powers of sport is to bring a community together, and Rowe hopes the new pro softball team in AUSL can bring Utahns together at a time when professional sports are exploding across the Beehive State.
"A lot of people live and breathe softball," said Rowe, who grew up playing in and watching her father in softball leagues sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "It's been in the fabric of the community in a unique way. " Rowe also hopes to spread the joy that she felt as she sat behind home plate after her ceremonial first pitch.
Sports played a critical role in Through her foundation JOY+US, Rowe and her associates will select individuals and families going through tough times complimentary tickets and gameday experience to every Utah Talons home game. Utah Talons play the Chicago Bandits in an AUSL softball game, Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Dumke Family Field at the University of Utah. "It's hard and lonely and scary when you're going through cancer," Rowe said.
"I want us to provide a day at the ballpark and some relief for people to get out and get away from their treatment and the scary parts of what they're going through. "We want to give you some joy. We're having a blast at the ballpark tonight, and I want to pass that joy on to others.
"pegged a home run, a double and three RBI and Alabama alum Fouts scattered just three hits in the final six innings to help the Talons rally for an opening-night win. "To have the home crowd and that home-team advantage is everything," said Talons coach Cindy Ball-Malone, who owns a 289-145-4 record in eight seasons at UCF that includes six NCAA Tournament appearances.
"This game is hard, and to know that we're playing for more than just ourselves and our teammates; we're playing for this community. Make that 1,400-plus-16 against the one now.
"We've got a full house out here, and everyone is getting into it," Sam Matina said. "It's awesome. This could last for a long time, hopefully. "Provo teen runs 4:38 mile to break middle school world record
Please follow us on Google to support us Traffic Weather Sports Classifieds Cars Jobs Homes Television Radio Salt Lake Utah Local Sports Entertainment Health Local
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Controversial OnlyFans Creator Plans 'Golden Shower' Baby Shower After Claiming Pregnancy From 400 MenTia Billinger, known as Blue, announced plans for a 'golden shower' baby shower following her claim of becoming pregnant after unprotected sex with 400 men. She described the event, which includes traditional baby shower games and sexual activities, as a continuation of her 'community effort' pregnancy. Blue acknowledged the stunt is 'disgusting' but defended it as a personal choice, while experts warn of the risks associated with such explicit content.
Read more »
Professional softball arrives in Salt Lake City as the Utah Talons open their seasonProfessional softball is officially coming to Utah.The Utah Talons will play their first home game at 7 p.m. on June 9 at Dumke Family Softball Stadium on the U
Read more »
Former Ute Hannah Flippen, Talons begin Utah era with season-opening winOpening day for the Utah Talons marked a new era of women's sports in Salt Lake City.It's the second season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), bu
Read more »
University of Utah to build 46-acre medical campus at The Point developmentThe University of Utah board of trustees on Wednesday approved a land purchase agreement with the Point development in Draper to construct a
Read more »