Pair of 3-2 Setbacks concludes Softball's Weekend
MONTGOMERY Ala. – The University of Dallas softball team closed its first road series with a couple 3-2 setbacks in the Jimmy Johns Tournament hosted at Huntingdon College. Coming off a 10-inning game on Saturday, the Crusaders found themselves back in that situation again to start Sunday against Mount St. Joseph as neither team scored in regulation.
After falling short by the same final to the Lions two straight days, the Crusaders led the host school Huntingdon, 2-1, after one completed inning. Huntingdon would tally a run in the sixth and seventh to walk-off in consecutive games.
(Game 1) (Final 10 Innings)
Team Scores: Mount St. Joseph (3), Dallas (2)
Team Records: Mount St. Joseph (3-0), Dallas (1-6)
Pitcher Records: W) Miller (2-0), L) Galvan (1-3)
Dallas tallied a hit per inning through the first six turns to bat. The best opportunity to score came in the fourth. Caitlyn Stevenson (Henderson, Nev.) led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) walked with one out. The two stole second and third. Stevenson would be tagged out trying to score on a fielder's choice by Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.). Julie Duenas was walked to load the bases, but the Crusaders were unable to break into the runs column.
Meanwhile, Lauren Galvan (Bryan Texas) limited Mount St. Joseph to a two-out single up the middle in the bottom of the second within the first seven innings. After hurling 9 innings in the second game Saturday, Galvan faced two above the minimum prior to the contest going extras.
The sophomore went above seven innings for just the second time in her career, and edged a personal-long 9.1 innings thrown. Galvan yielded three runs on six hits. She walked none and struck out two. Galvan also induced 18 groundouts.
In the eighth inning, The Crusaders went in front on a single by Stevenson that brought home Tera Espinosa (Caldwell, Texas). MSJ countered with a run in their last chance to bat, which forced another extra frame. The teams would exchange runs again. Alicia Enciso (Corona, Calif.) smacked her third hit of the game for a season-high in a game and drove in Cervantes.
UD was unable to get the potential run in from third in the 10th, and the Lions walked off in their final at bat. Gracie Woodyard lifted a fly out to center field that scored Katie Tarter.
Stevenson led with a 3-for-5 at the plate, while Enciso ripped two doubles for the only extra base hits in the game on either side. Cordova also had a multiple hit game for the Crusaders with a 2-for-3 display.
Sarah Miller earned the win in the circle for the Lions. She pitched six innings of relief and struck out six to go with a walk, three hits, and two runs.
(Game 2)
Team Scores: Dallas (2), Huntingdon (3)
Team Records: Dallas (1-7), Huntingdon (6-7)
Pitcher Records: W) McCarty (1-0), L) Watts (0-4)
Both teams got on the board in the first, with Dallas taking a 2-0 lead. Cervantes clobbered a two-run single that scored Stevenson and Enciso, who each reached via a hit and walk, respectively to start the game. The first four batters for the Crusaders reached safely in the game.
The road team only had two hits the rest of the game, but did wait out six walks. Overall the Crusaders left five on base.
A run in the home first nipped the margin in half. An error allowed Katie Lee to reach and scored Alyssa Singleterry. A single through the right side by Madison Perryman knotted the game at 2 in the sixth inning.
Dallas tried to get back on top in the seventh, but Shannon Sheeley (Cedar Hill, Texas) was thrown out on a relay throw from left after Mackenzie Tano (Wylie, Texas) had singled through the left side.
Huntingdon ended the game in the next half inning with Amari Fleming scoring the game-winning run on a Singleterry RBI-single.
Cervantes was on base safely all three times with a hit and pair of walks. Tano went 2-for-3. Enciso, Mel Savala (Bryan, Texas), and Cervantes – the 2-4 hitters – combined to reach base four times via a free pass.
Maggie Watts (Arcadia, La.) was saddled with the loss in the start. She gave up six hits, one earned run, walked none, and struck out two.
Lauren Melton started and threw 6.2 innings. She allowed all four hits, two runs, six walks, and punched out five. Mallory McCarty retired the lone batter she faced.
Carly Cincotta recorded the other 2-for-3 in the game to lead the Hawks at the plate. Singleterry tripled for her lone hit. Three different players stole a base including: Claire Tomberlin, Cincotta, and Paige Taylor.
UP NEXT
Dallas opens conference play with Texas Lutheran University with a four-game series March 9th-10th. The Crusaders will play the SCAC Champions on that Friday evening starting at 5 p.m. First pitch for the doubleheader on the second day will be at 12 p.m.