Softball Drops Two Against No. 2 Texas Lutheran in SCAC Opener
(Photo Courtesy of anthonymazur@amnewsnet.com)
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team opened Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) play with No. 2 Texas Lutheran University on Friday. The Crusaders responded to a 7-0 deficit with four runs highlighted by three in the third inning of game one. Texas Lutheran was able to pick up a run in the last two innings and began conference with a triumph.
In game two, Dallas was tasked with facing 2017 SCAC Newcomer of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, Maitlin Raycroft. She was effective, limiting the home team to a pair of runs on two hits. She struck out 14. The Bulldogs provided plenty of run support to earn the sweep on the night.
(Game 1)
Team Scores: Texas Lutheran (9), Dallas (4)
Records: Texas Lutheran (8-1, 1-0), Dallas (1-8, 0-1)
Pitcher Records: W) Bishop (2-0), L) Watts (0-5), S) Stone (1)
TLU scored three in its first turn to the plate. Five singles helped the Bulldogs with the quick start, as Kelsie McEachern brought home Kyla Lockley for the first damage. Skylar Ouellette smacked a two-RBI hit to right field with two outs for the other major hit that frame.
Maggie Watts (Arcadia, La.) bounced back with a perfect second inning, however another five-hit frame allowed the Bulldogs to increase their edge by seven after four more runners came home.
The Crusaders countered with their largest run total in an inning during their next half inning with three crossing. A trio of doubles stood out among the four hits that inning. Alicia Enciso (Corona, Calif.) clobbered a one-out double down the left field line. Mel Savala (Bryan, Texas) followed with a two-bagger splitting the left center gap. Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) singled up the middle and the two juniors hustled for an extra bag. Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.) notched the last UD extra base hit with a double to left center that plated the pair in scoring position.
A run in the sixth and seventh sealed the final.
Dallas was outhit 16-8, but teams were even 1-1 in errors. Enciso matched her personal-high 3 hits for the second time in the last three games. Cervantes added the team's other multi-hit day. Watts spun a complete game effort with only five earned runs surrendered.
Jordaine Bishop started the first four innings for Texas Lutheran. She was credited the win, while Kelsie Stone finished the save opportunity with her first of 2018. Seven different Bulldogs recorded a multi-hit game. Cassie Roche laced the team's lone extra base hit for a double.
(Game 2)
Team Scores: Texas Lutheran (8), Dallas (2)
Records: Texas Lutheran (9-1, 2-0), Dallas (1-9, 0-2)
Pitcher Records: W) Raycroft (5-0), L) Galvan (1-4)
The Crusaders allowed another early deficit to grow to seven runs. Texas Lutheran plated runs in five of the seven innings, which included the first four. None were more than two runs in a frame, but the margin had grown to seven again.
Raycroft fanned her first five batters of the night and collected 14 overall. A walk by Caitlyn Stevenson (Henderson, Nev.) in the fourth gave the Crusaders their first base runner of the game.
Two runs were tallied by Dallas in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a couple hustle plays that led to a few defensive miscues. Cordova and Gabbie Underwood (La Verne, Calif.) were responsible for the base knocks that put them on. The two both came around to score for UD.
Lauren Galvan (Bryan, Texas) threw a complete game, allowing 11 hits and eight runs (6 earned).
Kyla Lockley (2-3) and Kassie Maddox (2-4) came up with two hits and two RBI each. Skylar Ouellette, and McKay Bloxham also recorded a pair of base knocks.
UP NEXT
Dallas plays a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m. to finish the series.