Softball Loses Two Close Games to Hendrix

CONWAY, Ark. - The University of Dallas softball team lost both games of their double header with Hendrix College on Tuesday.  They fall to 5-15 overall on the year.

GAME 1 - Dallas 7, Hendrix 10

WP: Kelsey Sample (1-4)

LP: SunnyDale Thies (2-5)

The Warriors scrapped across a couple of runs on groundouts to take a 2-0 lead in the first, but the Crusaders answered back with four runs on four hits in the top of the second.  

After a scoreless third, Hendrix tied the game up with a lead-off homer and a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the fourth, then took a 6-4 lead with a couple of RBI knocks in the fifth.  But the Crusaders kept fighting and got busy with the bats and on the basepaths in the sixth.  They played three runs on six hits with three stolen bases in the inning to retake the lead 7-6.

That lead didn't last long, however, as the Warriors came up with timely hits and took advantage of a pair of errors to score four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-7 lead.  The Crusaders had the tying run at the plate with one out in the seventh, but the threat was ended by a double-play to give the Warriors the win.

Mariah Hinojosa, Abby Lasley, and SunnyDale Thies were all 3-for-4 in the game.

GAME 2 - Dallas 4, Hendrix 8

WP: Emma Barrentine (4-0)

LP: Caitlynn Freyman (2-7)

Once again, Hendrix took the early lead by getting the first run across with some small ball in the first inning, and once again the Crusaders came right back in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead.

Dallas was busy on the basepaths in the fifth inning, swiping three bases in the inning to help plate two more runs and extend their lead to 4-1.  A walk, a single, and a triple by the Warriors cut the lead to one run, and then a wild pitch brought the tying run to to make it 4-4 after five innings.

After leading off the sixth with a single, Jennifer Schmalz found her way to third base with two outs, representing the go-ahead run, but she was stranded there.  The Warriors took advantage and scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take their first lead of the game at 8-4.  Dallas got a couple of base hits in the seventh, but couldn't get past second base as Hendrix held on for the win.

Abby Lasley and SunnyDale Thies were both 2-for-4 in the game, making them both 5-for-8 on the day.  The Crusaders racked up nine stolen bases in game two, bringing their daily total to 13.

Up Next

The Crusaders resume conference play this weekend.  They will host a three-game series with Schreiner University, starting with a double-header at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1.