Softball opens 2018 Season with a Split
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team picked up a split against Hendrix College in both team's season openers on Friday. The Crusaders rallied in the sixth for eight runs to capture a 12-6 victory in the first game. In game two, Dallas was edged 7-2.
(Game 1)
Team Scores: Hendrix (6), Dallas (13)
Team Records: Hendrix (0-1), Dallas (1-0)
Pitcher Records: W) Galvan (1-0), L) Stockalper (0-1)
The Crusaders fell behind 3-0 over the first two innings, as they allowed Hendrix to score in the first two frames. Down a run, Hannah Billings lifted a homer to left in the second that plated a pair for the Warriors.
Dallas cut the deficit to one with two runs in the third and then answered HC's run in the fourth with another of its own for the home team. Two more runs in the fifth counted for Hendrix, but nine straight would come from the Crusaders starting with a single scoring play in the fifth.
Down 6-4, UD erupted for an eight-spot in the sixth inning to propel the hosts in front for good. The Crusaders batted five hits and sent 14 batters to the plate in the game-changing frame. Mel Savala (Bryan, Texas) scored the game-tying run on a fielder's choice by Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.). Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) had the go-ahead RBI-single to right field.
The Crusaders tallied 15 hits and committed four errors, while the Warriors notched 11 base knocks and three errors. Hitters two through five posted multiple hit games for UD. Savala tied a game-high three hits with Laura Mortan for Hendrix. Caitlyn Stevenson (Henderson, Nev.), Julie Dueñas (Houston, Texas), Cordova, and Alicia Encisio (Corona, Calif.) all had two-hit days. Savala and Dueñas drove in a pair apiece.
Lauren Galvan (Bryan, Texas) hurled six innings for Dallas, while scattering 11 hits on six runs (5 earned). She walked on and fanned four. Her counterpart Emily Stockalper yielded seven earned runs on 14 hits through five. She also had four strikeouts.
(Game 2)
Team Scores: Hendrix (7), Dallas (2)
Team Records: Hendrix (1-1), Dallas (1-1)
Pitcher Records: W) Draud (1-0), L) Watts (0-1)
The Warriors responded in the nightcap with a five-run victory over Dallas. The home team plated a run in the first, but saw that diminish the next turn Hendrix had. Savala singled and then a fielding error by the left fielder allowed her to advance to second. Stevenson, who was hit by pitch the previous at bat, came around to score on the miscue.
After Hendrix tied it at 1, the road squad went up for good on a Deva Bharne single in the fourth to score Taylor Oglesby. Bryanna Carlisle ripped a single to center to drive in Bharne that same inning. Four runs in the sixth ballooned the lead to 7-1, and a Savala RBI in the bottom of the seventh was all UD could muster the rest of the way.
Savala posted the lone multiple hit game for Dallas with a 2-for-4. She and Stevenson each swiped a steal. Stevenson posted her lone hit for extra bases with a double. Galvan was 1-for-1 off the bench.
Jaydan Hunt and Oglesby led the Warriors with 3-for-4 games. Both contributed to the team's three doubles. Morgan Maida legged out the other. Savanna Draud went seven innings in the circle and earned the win. She allowed two runs (1 earned) on six hits while getting five walks and strikeouts.
Watts for Dallas got saddled with the loss, as she went seven innings. She allowed four earned runs on 14 hits to go with two walks and three strikeouts.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Finals | #UDCrusaders Softball splits season opener with Hendrix. | @UDallasSoftball #GoUD #UDSB #d3sb pic.twitter.com/rkgkdW1YQT
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) February 10, 2018
UP NEXT
Dallas is home a week from Saturday on February 17th versus Southwestern Assemblies of God. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m.