All-Olympian final sees Erika Piancastelli crowned Mexican Softball League Home Run Derby champion
In an all-Olympian final, Italy’s Erika Piancastelli defeated USA's Rachel Garcia to claim the title at the first-ever Mexican Softball League (LMS) Home Run Derby, held in León, Guanajuato. The Tokyo 2020 Olympian delivered a dominant performance in the final, launching 62 home runs to secure the crown.
Garcia, a Tokyo 2020 silver medallist and two-way standout, led the competition after the first round with 51 home runs. Piancastelli advanced with 22, before finding her rhythm in the later stages of the event.
A total of eight players competed in the inaugural LMS Home Run Derby. The first-round results were as follows:
- Rachel García (Bravas de León): 51
- Suka Van Gurp (Sultanes de Monterrey): 45
- Erika Piancastelli (Águila de Veracruz): 22
- Jazmyn Jackson (Diablos Rojos del México): 20
- Corinth McMillan (Charros de Jalisco): 15
- Morgan Smith (Naranjeros de Hermosillo): 6
- Mckenzie Clark (Olmecas de Tabasco): 4
- Aliyah Binford (Algodoneras de Unión Laguna): 4
Garcia, Van Gurp (NED), Piancastelli and Jackson (USA) — all international players with their respective national teams — advanced to the semifinals. In a tightly contested round, Garcia and Piancastelli hit 22 and 21 home runs, respectively, to move on to the final.
In the decisive round, Piancastelli stole the show, sending 62 softballs into the stands to defeat Garcia, who connected for 27.
Across the three rounds, the Italian slugger amassed a total of 105 home runs, becoming the first-ever LMS Home Run Derby champion.
“I think the most tense moment was definitely the first round. I was a little nervous going into the competition. I didn’t know what to expect — I was the fourth hitter and I didn’t know what number I needed to put up. But I definitely felt the nerves, and it was the most exhausting stage,” Piancastelli said.
She also shared a message for young girls dreaming of playing softball:
“You should always swing hard, and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you that your swing looks like baseball or that you’re too strong to be great at softball. I’ve always had a powerful swing since I was little, and I think that mindset is something I want young girls to embrace,” she said. “Even as women, being strong is amazing, because it shows us the strength we are capable of reaching.”