Softball Drops Season Opener to Williams Baptist
Irving, TX - The University of Dallas softball team fell in both games of their two game series against Williams Baptist University. Dallas led a pitcher's duel 1-0 until a three-run home run by Kaydra Cole gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish, eventually winning game one 6-1. In game two, the Eagles never trailed scoring in every inning but one on route to taking the game 12-4 in six innings.
(Game 1 Information F/7)
Team Scores: Williams Baptist (6) Dallas (1)
Team Records: Williams Baptist (1-0) Dallas (0-1)
Pitcher Records: W) Angel Gillette (1-0), L) Devinne Greene (0-1)
After two and a half innings of scoreless ball, Dallas got on the board first with their only run of the game in the third inning. Crusader third baseman Macy Waddell leadoff the inning with a bunt single to the pitcher, and advanced to second on a throwing error by pitcher Angel Gillette. After Waddell advanced to third on a bunt single by shortstop Brenna Kelly, and Kelly then stole second, catcher Madison Coutts sacrificed to center field to drive in Waddell for a Crusader 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, Eagle left fielder Kennedie Laymance started the inning with a line out to first base. Second baseman Alyssa Cordell then singled to left and Macy Carter followed with a walk. After Shelby Jones pinch ran for Carter, Cole hit a three-run home run over the left field fence to put Williams Baptist up 3-1.
In the top of the sixth, center fielder Hali Williams leadoff the inning with a line out to second. Right fielder Megan Weis then singled to right, and then stole second. Laymance singled and advanced to second on the throw while Weis advanced all the way to third. Weis was then caught stealing home while Laymance stole third. Cordell then singled in Laymance on a hit to shortstop, and then Carter doubled to left center to send home Cordell to make the game 5-1.
The Eagles struck for one more in the top of the seventh. After two singles and a walk, Laymance hit a sacrifice fly to center, which scored pinch runner Maddi Altenthal for the eventual final score of 6-1.
(Game 2 Information F/6)
Team Scores: Williams Baptist (12) Dallas (4)
Team Records: Williams Baptist (2-0) Dallas (0-2)
Pitcher Records: W) Cassidi Doyle (1-0), L) Karina Camp (0-1)
In game two, Williams Baptist got to work early and often starting with a three spot in the second inning. In the second, the Eagles got on the board as designated player Madison Stokes stole home as catcher Kennedy Johnson stole second. Two batters later, Johnson was tagged out in a run-down as catcher Lizette Sosa threw to Kelly for the out at third. Two batters later with the bases loaded, Anna Besand scored as Krista Jones collided with third baseman Caitlynn Freyman on fielder's interference causing all runners to be safe.
In the top of the third, the Eagle put up three more off the bat of Stokes. With runners on first and second with one out, Stokes doubled off the left field wall driving in both Cole and Johnson. Stokes advanced to third on the relay throw home, and then scored after Freyman missed the throw back to third from Sosa.
In the top of the fourth, Williams Baptist scored again as with two on and two out Cole doubled tow left center plating Laymance and sending Johnson to third.
In the bottom of the inning, the Crusaders put their first five runners on base as Kelly and right fielder Annabel Anderson walked, designated player Brianna Hale singled in Kelly, Freyman walked, and Coutts singled in pinch runner Brianna Neisen to bring the score to 6-2. First baseman Maddy Murphy hit into a fielder's choice as Hale was thrown out at the plate. Campo then walked, scoring Freyman, and then center fielder Emily Luna knocked in Coutts on a fielder's choice as Murphy was called out at third to bring the score to 6-4.
The Eagles answered with three in the top of the sixth as they loaded the bases with no outs. Weis picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice, and then with two outs second baseman Ryleigh Tingle drove in two on a hit to center as Weis and Kristi Jones scored.
In the top of the sixth, Cole leadoff with a single, Stokes walked, and then Besand doubled in both runners on a hit to right center. Krista Jones then drove in Besand, but was caught in a run-down and thrown out at second on a play that went 8-1-3-6.
For the two games, both teams combined for 22 walks.
On the day, Besand reached base every plate appearance going 2-2 with a double, two RBIs, three runs scored, and six walks. Cole went 3-7 with a double, a home run, four RBIs, three runs scored, and left seven runners on base.
Hale was the top hitter for the Crusaders in the doubleheader, going 3-5 with a double, an RBI, and a walk.
After the games, UD opens the year 0-2 (0-0) while Williams Baptist starts 2-0 (0-0). Dallas continues the action this weekend with two games against Hendrix College on Saturday. Game Times are scheduled for 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM CST.