Softball concluded Weekend Series at Centenary with Pair of Setbacks
SHREVEPORT, La. – The University of Dallas softball team fell in the weekend finale on Sunday, as Centenary College picked up another doubleheader sweep to claim all four conference games.
A 7-run hole in the first inning was too much to overcome in the first game, as Dallas dropped that contest in six. The last game did see the home team total seven runs early again, but the Crusaders roared back with six runs in the fourth. It was not enough, as Centenary answered with six consecutive runs over its last three turns to bat.
(Game 1 Information) (Final 6 innings)
Team Scores: Dallas (1), Centenary (9)
Team Records: Dallas (6-25, 1-14 SCAC), Centenary (16-17, 7-8 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Smith (4-2), L) Watts (3-12)
One out was recorded to start the bottom of the first, but then Centenary had seven straight batters reach, including four singles and two hit by pitches. Sydney Hurley got the Ladies on the board with the first run on a hit to left field. An error allowed the lead to double, and then Wendy Gillett followed with a single up the middle to make it 4-0.
By the end of the frame, the Ladies were up 7-0.
Julie Duenas (Houston, Texas) collected an RBI-single in the fifth inning to help the Crusaders avoid the shutout.
It also prevented the run-rule that inning, but another run in the sixth sealed the result.
Scoring the lone run for Dallas was Alicia Enciso (Corona, Calif.), who was also perfect at the plate (3-3). The freshman shortstop notched half of the guests' six hits, as she matched her personal-best hit total with her second 3-for-3 overall. Other players with base knocks for UD included Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Mackenzie Tano (Wylie, Texas).
Maggie Watts (Arcadia, La.) was saddled with the loss as she threw 3.2 innings. Lauren Galvan (Bryan, Texas) allowed just one run (unearned) on three hits over two innings.
Centenary compiled 10 hits in the game, paced by Anna Dunn with a 3-for-3. She added an RBI on her third home run of the series, doubled, scored three runs, and walked. Gillet contributed a 2-for-3 for the other multi-hit game and drove in a pair.
Margeaux Smith earned the win in six innings. Her lone run allowed was not earned, she scattered six hits, walked none, and struck out two.
(Game 2 Information)
Team Scores: Dallas (7) Centenary (13)
Team Records: Dallas (6-26, 1-15 SCAC), Centenary (17-17, 8-8 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Aldridge (7-8), L) Galvan (3-13)
Dallas posted a run in the top of the first to grab an early advantage. Duenas was able to place a single down the left field line, which allowed Enciso to hustle home and score.
The Crusaders did not do any more damage, but the Ladies were able to respond with a three-spot their first turn to bat. For the second time this series, two home runs occurred in the home half of the first inning. Smith drilled a two-run shot to center to put the Ladies on top. Hurley punched one towards the similar location two batters later.
Centenary ballooned the edge to six (7-1) with four runs scored in the second. Smith and Hurley were centered in the action with RBI doubles.
In the fourth, Dallas clawed back to knot the game with six runs on six hits, and took advantage of a pair of errors. With no outs, Tano singled to right to score Mel Savala (Bryan, Texas) for the first run. Tera Espinosa (Caldwell, Texas) executed a sacrifice bunt that scored Galvan. Gabbie Underwood (La Verne, Calif.) singled through the right side to plate Caitlyn Stevenson (Henderson, Nev.), and then a throwing error allowed Duenas to also cross making it a 7-6 deficit. Cordova singled up the middle to nip the gap.
Stevenson, Duenas, and Underwood formed a trio in the 2-3-4 spots of the lineup that went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI tallied for UD. Duenas had one of the team's pair of stolen bases.
After the game was knotted, Centenary pulled away with the six remaining runs left to be marked. The leading run crossed a half inning later on a Dunn double down the left field line. She added a single to left center that scored two runs in the three-run fifth. A Gillet two-run blast to right in the sixth capped the high-scoring matchup.
This game combined for 27 hits, with the Ladies holding a five-hit edge (16-11). Dallas committed three errors, while the Maroon and White were charged with four.
Eight different Crusaders recorded a hit. Enciso and Espinosa ripped doubles for the only extra-base hits for the visitors. Enciso increased her team-lead to eight when she led off the game with a ball smacked to right center.
Payton LeBlanc led the Ladies with a 3-for-4 and scored four runs at the top of the order. The top four spots: LeBlanc (2), Smith (3), Dunn (3), and Hurley (2) combined for 10 RBI. Centenary amassed four doubles and three homers.
Nichole Aldridge earned the win in relief with 3.1 innings tossed. She allowed the lone run on four hits, walked one, and struck out two.
UP NEXT
Dallas returns home for its final six games of the regular season this week. On April 17th, the Crusaders makeup a postponed doubleheader against LeTourneau University. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.