PREVIEW: Dallas vs. Austin College; Rescheduled Dates (3/22; DH) | (3/24; DH)

COVERAGE

Video (None Sunday; both games Tuesday)

BACK ON THE DIAMNOND

The University of Dallas softball team (11-7, 4-2 SCAC) will return to the diamond for its longest home stand of the spring, as it hosts Austin College (5-5, 0-4 SCAC). The series has been rearranged a bit due to weather. The four-game series will begin on Sunday, March 22 at 12 p.m. Saturday's original doubleheader has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 24.

Dallas has enjoyed a nice week, winning eight of the last 10 and five of six. The Navy and White are 5-5 at the home confines in Irving, Texas, and won a season-high five in a row during the past hot stretch; the second longest string since 2010. Seven was the mark on that lengthy span.

LAST TIME OUT

Dallas claimed a 3-1 series win over fellow Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) foe, Centenary College of Louisiana. It was the first league series victory of the year, as the team's split the first doubleheader. Dallas won 2-0, and fell 2-1 in the nightcap. The home squad swept the last two by finals of 3-2 and 10-1.

The Lady Crusaders had several contributors over the weekend, but continuing her stellar pitching was sophomore Katie Lee (Houston, Texas). The SCAC Pitcher-of-the-Week compiled all 27 innings, allowed five runs (three earned), 28 hits, walked six, and struck out 10 against the Maroon and White.

Senior Taylor Garcia (Pflugerville, Texas) displayed a monstrous career-best five RBI, with two coming off her second homer of the year. This three-of-four effort occurred in the finale, as the catcher also scored twice and was a triple away from the cycle.

Providing another incredible series was sophomore Lyda Tesauro (Hollywood, Fla.) who knocked seven base hits, with a trio of two-hit performances. She combined for three runs batted in with one in the opener and two in the last game. The outfielder raced around the bases four times in the finale to move her to second on the team with 12 runs scored.

LEADERBOARD

Several members of the University of Dallas program have propelled to the top of several categories within the conference and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

After a big week, UD placed three individuals at the top of the USCAA leader rankings that are released each week. Lee ranks the highest with 10 wins, Garcia has driven in 18 runners, and sophomore Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) has stolen 19 bases. Tesauro is second in the same group with 10. Lee sits second with 61 strikeouts.

In the SCAC, Lee's total amount of punch outs ranks her highest among conference opponents. The right-handed pitcher has tossed 104 innings, 14 complete games, and boasts a 1.90 ERA. All but the final statistic lead the league, and her earned runs allowed slots second.

Tesauro leads the way with eight doubles, and is second in stolen bases. Finch is soaring away with 18 swipes and ranks second with 15 runs scored. Garcia's RBI total also ranks second within the conference.

As a team, Dallas boasts the league-best pitching ERA at a 2.10 clip, and have stolen the most bases with 56.

Freshman Eliah Davila (Abilene, Texas) recorded hits in five of the last seven games, with three counting for multi-hit performances.

SCOUTING AUSTIN COLLEGE

The Roos' were last on the diamond on March 11 when they completed their lone SCAC series of the campaign versus Texas Lutheran University. AC was washed out last weekend in Sherman, Texas, against Trinity University. Austin College is 0-4 on the road.

Lauren Mara paces the Maroon and Gold offense with a .323 average and five doubles. Sophia Hernandez has chipped in a .286 batting clip. Briana Hernandez boasts the majority of AC's run production with nine RBI and the lone long ball.

In the circle, Sophia Hernandez and Victoria Herrera have taken the ball amassing 30.1 and 28.2 innings, respectively. Herrera is 3-2 with a 2.20 ERA.

Austin College was picked fifth in the SCAC preseason poll, while Dallas was tabbed fourth.

HISTORY

Dating back to 2010, the Lady Crusaders have gone 5-17 against Austin. UD has won the previous two outings, including advancing in an elimination game during the SCAC tournament last year.

The four-game series was at Sherman, Texas, with three of the contests decided by two runs or less. The Navy and White fell in both one-run affairs, but would avoid a sweep in a 7-5 win.

UP NEXT

As Dallas weathers the adjustments on the ledger, the next conference series will be at Southwestern University on March 28-29.

SOCIAL MEDIA

UD Twitter: @UDallasSports

Softball Twitter: @UDallasSoftball

Facebook: University of Dallas Athletics