Miller homered to tie the game in the 1st inning of game one Saturday.
Miller homered to tie the game in the 1st inning of game one Saturday.

Softball falls in Opening Games to Ottawa University

IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team was topped on opening day with a pair of five-inning run rules against Ottawa University. In the first contest, the visiting Braves scored in each of the first four innings including 11 combined in the 2nd and 3rd en route to a 14-4 result. Dallas dropped game two 16-4.

Jade Miller (Plano, Texas) had a strong debut with the Crusaders going 3-for-4 on the day and clobbering the team's first home run of the season in game one. She added a double for a knock in her lone at bat in the later contest.

GAME ONE INFORMATION

Team Scores: Ottawa University (14), Dallas (4) (Final 5 innings)

Team Records: Ottawa (2-1), Dallas (0-1)

Pitching Records: W) Harvey (1-0), L) Morales (0-1)

NOTABLE STATISTICS

- Miller was one of two UD players with multiple hits. Her first home run with UD counted for an RBI and run scored. She had one of a trio of stolen bases for the team.

- Allie Driskill (Houston, Texas) also debuted this spring with two base knocks and was perfect at the plate. She swiped a steal while scoring a run and ribbie.

- Baileigh Perkins (Orange, Texas) pinch hit in the 5th and drove in a pair.

- Elisa Valenzuela went 2-for-2 and drove in a game-high four. Ellena Cott-Laurie followed with three runs batted in and added a pair of knocks.

- Sydney Lehr recorded a game-high three hits, while Kenzie Stevens posted the final multi-hit outing. Stevens and Jenna Stigge scored three times apiece.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

Valenzuela hit a blooper that scored Stigge from third base, which she reached after sprinting out a triple to start the game. Dallas answered quickly with its second batter of the game. Miller punched a home run over the left field wall to tie the game.

That momentum was stymied as the Braves rattled the next 13 runs in a row over three innings. A five-spot in the top half of the second opened a 6-1 advantage for the guests. A throwing error allowed a trio of runs to occur that frame.

Next, six hits in the third would account for as many runs and then two more were tacked on in the 4th to complete the opponent score.

The Crusaders responded with a three-run 4th inning. Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas) drew a lead-off walk, and then singles followed from Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) and Alexandria Compte (Houston, Texas). After Driskill's sharp hit through the left side, her and pinch runner Shannon Sheeley (Cedar Hill, Texas) completed a double steal. That placed the speedy duo in scoring position for Perkins to knock a two-RBI hit.


GAME TWO INFORMATION

Team Scores: Ottawa University (16), Dallas (4)

Team Records: Ottawa (3-1), Dallas (0-2)

Pitching Records: W) Morgan (1-1) L) Lee (0-1)

NOTABLE STATISTICS

- Savala notched a 2-for-3 day at the plate with an RBI and run scored.

- Miller doubled and walked.

- Lety Morales (Fontana, Calif.) picked up her first collegiate hit and had a pair of ribbies.

- Mackenzie Tano (Wylie, Texas) recorded the other RBI for her first in her spring debut.

- Miller, Savala, and Driskill each stole a base.

- Ottawa was led again with Valenzuela with four RBI. She was perfect at the dish (3-3) and was one of three players to score a trio amount of times.

- The other two players came in front of her at the top of the order with Stigge and Kori Lacey achieving the mark.  

- Cott-Laurie added two hits, which included a triple. Also had a pair of runs driven in.

- Molli Morgan started both games and this time went deep enough to qualify for the win. She tossed four innings and allowed a pair of runs on six hits. Morgan walked three and struck out six.

HOW IT HAPPENED

For the second time on the day, Valenzuela drove in the first run with a single up the middle to score Stigge.

Dallas countered with two runners on base that started with an Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) infield single. Savala beat out an infield hit to shortstop after Miller had sacrificed bunted Finch to second base. Cervantes loaded the bases by being hit, but a hard liner by Driskill to the pitcher ended the threat with Cervantes doubled off first base.

The Crusaders allowed two more runs in the third, but clawed back within one by scoring twice in their half of the inning. Miller doubled to left field and then stole third base. Savala tripled to right center and got UD on the board. Tano laced a two-out single down the right field line to make it a 3-2 game.

However, Ottawa broke through with 13 runs in the next half inning, and sent the Crusaders to their second setback on the afternoon. The Braves finished with 14 hits. Dallas committed six errors.

UP NEXT

Dallas is home on February 12 vs. Hendrix College. First pitch is scheduled at 12 p.m. of the doubleheader.