Softball handles Rust College (Miss.), then falls to Austin College, on first day of Wyndham Las Colinas Classic

IRVING, Texas - In the first day of the Wyndham Los Colinas Classic, the University of Dallas softball team (2-12) split their pair of games. In Game 1, the Lady Crusaders defeated Rust College (Miss.), 11-1, and then went on to play Austin College, where Dallas fell, 10-2

Game 1: Dallas 11, Rust College 1 Boxscore

After an early run from Rust College, the Lady Crusaders took control of the game both offensively, with five girls scoring two runs each; and defensively, holding the Bearcats to one run. In the bottom of the first inning, Dallas scored four times with the assistance of four stolen bases from Jessica Mollner (St. Paul, Minn./Convent of the Visitation School), Christina Jeffrey (Tomball, Texas/Concordia Lutheran), and two by Brittany Castro (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek H.S.).

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Dallas brought in another four runs, this time with a single from Mollner and a double by Mallori Westbrook (Carrollton, Texas/Hebron H.S.) which gave her two RBIs on the day.

Mollner, Dallas' starting pitcher, amassed 14 strikeouts and only gave up one run and one hit in a complete game five-inning effort. 

Game 2: Dallas 2, Austin College 10 Boxscore

Coming off the second win of the season, Dallas next faced the Austin College 'Roos. The Crusaders started the game off well, holding the Austin College to one run, off three hits, in the first inning.

In their turn at bat, both Mollner and Cheryl Hinze (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek H.S.) singled to get on base; they then both stole two bases. This brought Mollner home and Hinze to third with only one out from a pop up. Hinze was then able to also steal home, but Austin's pitcher put an end to the scoring with two strikeouts.

Dallas was able to hold the lead over the next three innings as both teams held the other in check. Unfortunately, it had just taken the 'Roos a little while to warm up; in the 5th inning there came an onslaught of runs. Dallas tried their best to put an end to it, but Austin College scored nine runs, off six hits, in the inning.

The Lady Crusaders return tomorrow for the second and final day of the Wyndham Los Colinas Classic, as they will once again play Rust College (10:00 a.m.) and Austin College (12:00 p.m.) at Crusader Field.