Begle jump starts Early Lead; Softball holds onto Game Two Win for a Split at UTD
RICHARDSON, Texas – It was a gusty Tuesday night at UTD Softball Field, as the Lady Crusaders utilized three home runs combined in a doubleheader against University of Texas at Dallas. After smacking two in the opener of a 6-4 setback, senior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas) clobbered a three-run shot to spark a 6-1 lead over the first two innings of an eventual game two victory. It was the team's most long balls in a series this year, and junior Katie Lee (Houston, Texas) got a huge strikeout to hold onto a 7-5 final.
GAME ONE INFORMATION
Team Scores: University of Dallas (4), University of Texas at Dallas (6)
Team Records: Dallas (8-13), UT-Dallas (13-11)
Pitching Records: W) Stephens (3-2), L) Parks (2-5)
The first seven hitters in the Dallas lineup were set down, but freshman Samantha Laberge (Round Rock, Texas) pounded her first collegiate home run and got the guests on the board with a 1-0 advantage and one hit in the game. This happened in the top of the third inning.
The Comets were able to counter in the bottom of the frame with a five-run display. A bases-loaded walk knotted the contest, and Brittany Perkins cleared the bags with a grand slam and second homer of the third inning on either side.
In the sixth, both teams would gain offense again. UD tapped into the bench and got big hits from freshman Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) and senior Ciara Stewart (Crockett, Texas) to nip the margin to 5-3. Both runs came on a two-out rally. UT-Dallas took a run back as Sarah Morales reached on a fielder's choice and Heather Gilbert scored on the play.
A three-run deficit was not insurmountable in these windy conditions, and junior Allison Kotlar (Edna, Texas) proved that right away with a lead-off dinger to bring the score to 6-4. It was the left fielder's second homer this year. Two-out singles by junior Lyda Tesauro (Hollywood, Fl.) and Begle brought the go-ahead run in freshman Katie Antigua (Elk Grove, Calif.) to the plate. She ended the game on a ground out.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Tesauro went 2-for-4 for the lone multi-hit game for Dallas.
- Other UD players with hits: freshman Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas), Begle, Antigua, Cervantes, Stewart, Laberge, and Kotlar.
- UD extra base hits: Laberge and Kotlar with home runs.
- UD RBI members: Stewart (1), Laberge (7), and Kotlar (10) - (7-9 hitters in lineup).
- UD Steals: Tesauro (7) and Begle (4).
- Junior Avery Finch (Jamul Calif.) ended her streak of reaching base safely this season at 20 games.
- Freshman Paige Parks (Cedar Parks, Texas) went six innings in the loss. She allowed six runs (5 earned) on 10 hits. Walked and struck out two hitters each.
- The Comets were led offensively by Melissa Livermore and Stefanie Polderman with each going 2-for-3.
- Perkins had 4 ribbies on the grand slam and Gilbert scored twice. Livermore had two steals and Gilbert added one.
- Allie Stephens went seven innings and allowed four runs (2 earned) on nine hits. She struck out three and allowed a walk.
GAME TWO INFORMATION
Team Scores: University of Dallas (7), University of Texas at Dallas (5)
Team Records: Dallas (9-13), UT-Dallas (13-12)
Pitching Records: W) Lee (7-8), L) Davison (2-6)
The final game of the nightcap featured early scoring for the Lady Crusaders and a last moment comeback by UTD in the second two-run final of the series. Dallas would match a pair of three-run innings to begin the first two trips at the plate. The Comets produced two runs in the fifth and seventh, and had the game-tying run in scoring position with two outs. The team from Irving, Texas, held on for the fourth win away from home this season, and ended a seven-game slide in head-to-head matchups with UT-Dallas dating back to 2010.
Dallas benefited from a wild start with Sara Davison in the circle for the Comets. UD would have the first two hitters in the game, Finch and Savala, draw walks. Two batters later, Begle etched the Lady Crusaders' first hit of the game via a home run. It was her second of the season and seventh of her career. The round-tripper lifted Dallas in front 3-0.
With UTD taking a run back in its half of the frame, the Navy and White produced another three-spot on the run column in the second straight inning. Kotlar doubled down the left field line and later scampered past the next two bases on wild pitches with Finch up. The lead-off hitter got back on base by reaching on a dropped fly ball. Savala walked for the second time in a row that game on four straight pitches. Tesauro had a two-RBI single to center. Back-to-back walks to Begle and Antigua ended Davison's night, but Dallas was unable to add on to the 6-1 edge.
The lead ballooned to 7-1 going into the bottom of the fifth, and the home team drew life by adding two more runs. With three outs to go and a 7-3 difference, the Comets had four batters reach after the first out was made. A sacrifice fly out brought the second run in and advanced the runners on first and second to bring Morgan Hendershott up with two down. UD's right hander, Lee, fanned the UTD player for the hat trick at the plate by getting her swinging and locking the win away.
Dallas had dropped five contests via a walk-off this season and four of the last seven road matchups in that fashion.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Tesauro had another 2-for-4 game and has an active six-game hitting streak. Kotlar contributed a 2-for-3 with a double.
- Other UD players with a hit: Savala, Begle, Antigua, and Stewart.
- Begle had a homer and led with a game-high three RBI. Tesauro drove in two.
- Hitters 1-4 in the lineup combined for five runs scored, with the top two (Finch and Savala) being plated twice apiece.
- UD stolen bases: two from Finch (22), Savala (8), Thornton, and Weatherford (4).
- Lee went seven innings. Allowed five runs (3 earned) on nine hits. Had a walk and matched a season-high four punch outs for third time this spring.
- Both teams committed three errors.
- UT-Dallas was led by Livermore with a 3-for-4, two runs scored, and two more steals. Lauryn Manning had the other multi-hit performance for the Comets. Chelsea Sartor and Manning had doubles.
- Davison was saddled in the loss by starting 1.1 innings. She allowed six runs (5 earned) on four hits and walked six. Stephens returned to the circle and surrendered an unearned run on four hits through 5.2 innings tossed. She struck out two.
UP NEXT
Dallas hosts Southwestern University in the second straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) home series on March 25-26. Both days first pitch is at 12 p.m. for the twinbills.