Softball takes first game at Trinity 7-2; Can't sweep after quick start in Second Contest
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team (4-6, 1-1 SCAC) claimed a split in the first of two in a four-game series with Trinity University (2-4, 1-1 SCAC) on Saturday afternoon.
Dallas was able to defeat TU in the opener of a doubleheader 7-2, before falling 5-2 in the latter affair. The Lady Crusaders had won two in a row dating back to last season with the victory.
Senior Ashley Pickert (Lenexa, Kan.) collected the only multiple hit outing for UD in game one, as the squad combined for six hits; one less than its run output. The Navy and White took advantage of four errors from the Tigers.
A two-run first inning for Dallas, courtesy of Pickert's single that drove in a pair, was enough for the first five frames until the offense extended things in the last two.
The designated player batted .500 in the game, scoring two runs to match that total of RBI in the triumph. Also collecting base knocks for UD were: sophomore Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.), freshmen Eliah Davila (Abilene, Texas) and Madison Goforth (Tyler, Texas), and senior Taylor Garcia (Pflugerville, Texas).
Garcia pounded her first home run of the season and the team's first as well down the left field line to double the advantage. The catcher drove in Begle on the two-run long ball. UD added a run on a walk with the bases juiced by Finch to wrap up an inning that reflected a 5-0 lead for the road squad.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Trinity responded as Lauren Mercadeo homered to left for a two-run blast and nipped the score to three.
The Lady Crusaders answered with two runs in the seventh to extend the edge to 7-2, which was the final display on the scoreboard. Pickert didn't get credit for the RBI, but was involved reaching on an error to get freshman Azaria Herrera (San Juan, Texas) across the dish.
Davila walked to drive in her first collegiate RBI and conclude the scoring for Dallas in game one.
Sophomore Katie Lee (3-3) earned the win with three hits, two runs, two walks, and three strikeouts compiled in seven innings.
In the circle for the Tigers was Kaci Wellik (0-2), who tossed five innings. She allowed five runs (three earned) off five hits and fanned seven. Katie Castillon allowed two unearned runs in the final two frames and walked three to go along with two punch outs.
Game two witnessed another fast start for UD, as the road team jumped in front 1-0 through its first at bat. Garcia knocked an RBI that drove in Finch, who walked to begin the contest and stole second.
The bottom of the second and third for Trinity were all the offense in the game as the runner-up Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournament finishers last season needed to clinch its first league win.
TU regained the lead with three runs, all unearned, as the Lady Crusaders threw the ball away on two plays back-to-back to aid the Tigers' scoring.
Trinity would be commit five miscues compared to the Navy and White's three in the affair, but the home team was able to take full advantage.
Pickert improved on her hitting performance in the first of the twinbill, going a perfect four-of-four at the plate with a quartet of singles. Her hits combined for over half of the team's seven, which outdid the Tigers by one.
Garcia mustered a multi-hit effort with a .500 average and the only RBI for the Lady Crusaders. The Pflugerville, Texas, native combined for a team-high three runs batted in, which matches a contest best on Feb. 15 versus Sul Ross State University.
Boasting the most base knocks for Trinity was Katie Glomb with two and a run scored. Wellik drove in the Tigers' only credited RBI with a single down the left field line.
Glomb's biggest amount of damage came from her arm as she scattered seven hits and allowed two runs (one earned) in a complete game. In her victory (2-0), Glomb walked two and struck out five.
Pitching her second-straight start, Lee allowed five runs (one earned) off six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six.
Dallas combined for five stolen bases overall, with three in the second contest. The Tigers matched that total in the second of the doubleheader. Finch swiped two to increase her league-best, 11 out of 12 attempts.
UP NEXT
Dallas is back on the diamond tomorrow for a twinbill at Trinity. Either squad could prevail or split the four-game set. First pitch is at 12 p.m.