Southwestern Take Series Finale with Late Rally

Irving, TX  - The University of Dallas softball team lost the final game of their three game series against Southwestern University on Sunday.  Dallas led all the way into the seventh inning until Southwestern put a collection of baserunners on base as they rallied back to tie.  The clinching blow came on a two out infield single by Kathryn Dull to put the Pirates up for the eventual final score of 4-3.

(Game Information)

Team Scores: Southwestern (4) Dallas (3)

Team Records: Southwestern (2-9) Dallas (3-10)

Pitcher Records: W) Taylor McKenzie  (1-1), L) Karina Camp (2-5)

Dallas started the scoring in the second inning.  With one out, pitcher Karina Campo walked and two batters later third baseman Macy Waddell reached on an error by Pirate third baseman Savanna Frieze.  Crusader centerfielder Emily Luna then dunked a single into right center to score Campo to give Dallas a 1-0 lead.

UD added another run in the third inning.  Dallas put two runners on base with a single by catcher Madison Coutts and a walk by second baseman Lizette Sosa.  After shortstop Brenna Kelly advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, Coutts then scored on a failed pickoff attempt and throwing error by Southwestern catcher Izzy Richey.

In the fourth inning, UD loaded the bases on three straight walks to start the inning.  UD's looming threat was lessened as Waddell was picked off at third by Richey.  The picked off runner would prove decisive as Coutts then singled up the middle to score Luna from second.  The next two Dallas batters struck out and grounded out.

In the top of the sixth, Southwestern finally got on the board.  Centerfield Jodi Glenn-Millhouse singled up the middle to start the inning.  Right fielder Alex Fletes grounded into a fielder's choice, and then second baseman Maddie Mefford and designated player Kathryn Dull hit back-to-back singles to load the bases.  Frieze then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Fletes to bring the game to 3-1.

Dallas failed to answer in the bottom of the inning as they loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a hit batter.  The next two Crusader batters struck out and grounded out.

In the top of the seventh, pinch hitter Kaylee White led off with an infield single to second.  Rylee Rudloff pinch ran for White and advanced to second on a groundout by shortstop Jessey Nunez.  Pinch hitter Brooke Yanta then singled to second, and Glenn-Millhouse reached on an error by first baseman Maddie Murphy.  With the bases loaded, Campo struck out pinch hitter Samantha Saenz. Then with two outs, Mefford hit a two RBI single to right field to tie the game at 3-3.  Dull then beat out an infield hit to third to drive in Glenn-Millhouse and put Southwestern up 4-3.

Dallas did put the tying run on base in the bottom of the inning, as Campo blooped a one-out single down the right field line.  However, the Crusaders were unable to push the runner past first and the game ended with the final score of 4-3.

With the loss UD drops to 3-10 (2-1) and with the win Southwestern improves to 2-9 (1-2).  Dallas plays another pair of home games this week on Wednesday, March 9 as they take on Fontbonne University.  Game Times will be at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Central.