GAME PREVIEW: Dallas vs. Millsaps College (2/21) (DH)
(Photo Graphic Courtesy of Hannah Miller)
MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
FIRST PITCH
The University of Dallas softball team (3-3) returns to the diamond for a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 21 versus Millsaps College.
The first contest of the twinbill has been moved up to 12 p.m., with game two following approximately around 2 p.m. UD is hitting .326 as a team and has picked up victories in every game the Navy and White have posted at least five runs.
LOOK AT LAST WEEK
The Lady Crusaders picked up their first triumphs at home over the previous weekend by claiming two over Sul Ross State University. After opening the first contest with a three-run fifth to secure a 5-2 final, UD kept the momentum rolling early in the latter affair.
Dallas would total season-highs in runs and hits with eight and 16, respectively. The amount of hits amassed in the 8-5 victory would top the 14 ripped in the season-opener, and both totals surpass last year's season-best 13.
Senior Taylor Garcia (Pflugerville, Texas) had the big knock with a two-run double in the fifth to move the home squad's advantage to 4-0. The catcher recorded three RBI in the game. Sophomore Ciara Stewart followed with an RBI single to cap the difference-making frame.
SRSU would get on the board in the sixth with a pair, but sophomore Katie Lee (2-1) kept the opposition at bay with a complete game effort.
In the second contest, Dallas etched a trio of runs in the first two innings and would extend a narrow margin in the fifth and sixth to lock down its first sweep of the campaign.
Sophomore Lyda Tesauro (Hollywood, Fla.) managed a career-high four RBI and was among a group of six batters with multi-hit performances. Freshman Madison Goforth (Tyler, Texas) led the unit with three hits.
QUICK HITS
- Sophomore Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) has opened the early season with a four-game hitting streak and five of the first six contests. She has totaled a .364 batting average and been a bandit on the base paths with nine steals.
- Leading UD in hitting with a .500 average is junior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas). The short stop is the first player to double-digits with 10 hits, ranks at the top with 13 total bases, and is tied with a trio of players that have scored five runs.
- Finch and Goforth are also tied in the group for team-leaders in that category. The duo also have posted nine and eight hits, respectively.
- Tesauro ranks at the top on the team with four doubles and eight RBI.
- As a squad, Dallas has gone 25-for-28 on stolen bases to lead the SCAC. Three players hold the top three spots individually paced by Finch with nine, Tesauro with five, and Goforth with four.
- Lee has compiled a 3.08 ERA through 26.1 innings on the season. She combined for 10 innings last Sunday and picked up her first save of the year in the game two victory against the Lobos. The sophomore righty has limited three free passes and struck out 17.
HOME SWEET HOME
Dallas wraps up a six-game home stand, one of its longer stretches at Crusader Field this season.
The most contests in a row at the friendly confines will be a span of eight-straight with two conference four-game series against Centenary College of Louisiana and Austin College on March 14-15 and 21-22.
The Navy and White will play in Irving, Texas, 18 times this year.
SCOUTING THE MAJORS
Millsaps (2-0) defeated Wesleyan College last Saturday beginning with a five-inning win, 10-2. MC completed the sweep with a 2-0 decision in the second matchup.
The Majors piled 10 runs and clobbered nine hits, four counting towards extra bases. Rayner LeBlanc and Hannah Doggett matched each other with a pair of hits and the tandem notched a double each.
Kathryn Romero and Missy Romero tallied two RBI apiece and both of their lone knocks were three-baggers.
Danielle Faucheux was named the Southern Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week (SAA) after going the distance in both contests, which totaled 12 innings. She combined to fan 11 batters against five walks.
Last season the programs met for a twinbill at Jackson, Mississippi, and Millsaps claimed both wins. Garcia batted 1.000 (3-for-3) in the second game with two RBI in the setback.
UP NEXT
Dallas enjoys about two weeks off before returning to the field on Mar. 7-8. UD will open Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) action that day with a four-game set at Trinity University.
SOCIAL MEDIA
UD Twitter: @UDallasSports
Softball Twitter: @UDallasSoftball
Facebook: University of Dallas Athletics