TLU Takes Two, Completes Sweep

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas softball team lost their conference double header with Texas Lutheran on Friday.  They fall to 2-16 in conference and 5-31 overall.

Game 1 - Dallas 0, TLU 10

WP: Ashlyn Strother (16-0)

LP: Karina Campo (4-14)

Game one was always going to be tough for the Crusaders with Ashlyn Strother starting in the circle for TLU.  The sophomore pitcher is on pace to win the pitching triple crown, leading the SCAC in ERA (0.77), wins (16), and strikeouts (149).  True to form, Strother was dominant as the Crusaders managed just four baserunners in the game.

Making her final start at home, Karina Campo did well to hold the Bulldogs off early on, but their bats came alive eventually as they pulled away with seven runs across the third and fourth innings.  Two more runs in the fifth put the game out of reach and sealed the deal for the Bulldogs.

Game 2 - Dallas 1, TLU 4

WP: Amanda White (8-1)

LP: Caitlynn Freyman (1-7)

The Bulldogs were not nearly as dominant at the plate in game two, thanks to an excellent outing by Caitlynn Freyman.  The Bulldogs never put together more than two hits in a single inning off Freyman, but what they lacked in power in game two they made up for with their ruthless baserunning.  

Texas Lutheran amassed an astonishing nine stole bases in game two, racking up 19 across the entire three game series.  With every base hit turning into a double or a triple, the Bulldogs didn't need hits to drive in runs; only one of their four runs was driven in with a base hit, and another crossed the plate on a double steal.  

The Crusaders best chances to score came in the fourth and fifth innings.  They had the makings of a two out rally in the fourth, Annabelle Anderson and Bri Hale each singling in their final home game for Dallas, but they would be left stranded on first and second.  They did strike back thanks to an RBI single by Madison Coutts in what would be her final at bat in front of her home crowd, but the Crusaders would also strand two more runners in the inning.  

Despite a lead-off walk in the seventh, the Crusaders could not cut into the deficit, as TLU completed the series sweep.

Up Next

Conference play wraps up next week.  The Crusaders will finish the regular season on the road with a four game series against Austin College.  Game one is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start on Saturday, April 23.