Softball takes 3-1 Series Win over SCAC Foe Southwestern University
IRVING, Texas – A big series win over Southwestern University occurred for the University of Dallas softball team. After falling 7-1 in the opener of the four-game set Friday, Dallas posted three straight wins, including a doubleheader sweep Saturday with 1-0 and 9-5 finals. This marks the first ever series-win for the Lady Crusaders against the program, and the team has won five of the past eight going into last year. The victories also lifted UD to third place in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) standings.
GAME ONE INFORMATION
Team Scores: Southwestern University (0), University of Dallas (1)
Team Records: Southwestern (15-12, 8-7 SCAC), Dallas (11-14, 6-5 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Lee (9-8), L) Smith (10-5)
It was a pitching duel in game one as both team's combined for 10 hits altogether. Other than a lead-off single by Southwestern's Celeste Silvas to start the game, neither team mounted a threat until fourth inning. Both squads would leave two on with two outs.
Dallas broke a no-hit bid with two gone in the bottom half of the fourth as junior Lyda Tesauro (Hollywood, Fl.) singled to extend her career-long hitting streak to nine games. Senior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas) doubled next but both runners were stranded.
The Pirates left a pair of runners on in the fifth and stranded the bases loaded in the seventh. The guests had threatened getting two runners on via a walk and infield hit with two outs. Marissa Irvin grounded out to Begle to escape the drama.
The UD shortstop led off the bottom of the seventh and sent her team-leading third home run over the left field wall to give the Lady Crusaders their third walk-off of the season. It was the first walk-off via a homer and secured at least a series split.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Begle went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
- Both of Begle's knocks were extra bases – double and home run
- Tesauro and junior Allison Kotlar (Edna, Texas) added hits.
- UD stolen bases: Freshman Roma Thornton (Wharton, Texas), Tesauro, and freshman Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas).
- Junior Katie Lee (Houston, Texas) improved above .500 for the first time this season. She went seven innings, limited Southwestern to six hits, a walk, while striking out four. The shutout was her second this season and added to her program record with her 11th career.
- The Pirates were led by Silvas with a 2-for-4. Hitter's 6-9 in the Pirates' order combined for three base hits. Among that group were: Berkeley Bacon, Taylor Curtis, and Taylor Carnes.
- Chandler Smith took the tough-luck loss. She went six innings and lone blemish was the Begle game-winning shot. Smith held Dallas to four hits and struck out three.
GAME TWO INFORMATION
Team Scores: Southwestern University (5), University of Dallas (9)
Team Records: Southwestern (15-13, 8-8 SCAC), Dallas (11-14, 7-5 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Lee (10-8), L) Smith (10-6)
Game two favored Southwestern early on, with two runs being scored in each of the first two innings to give a 4-0 edge to the guests. The Gold and Black benefited from all three of UD's errors in the game during this span.
The Lady Crusaders' offense was held in check through the first two innings, but found the hit column for the first time on a one-out single by freshman Keali Weatherford (Humble, Texas) in the third. After a Kotlar single and error that allowed junior Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) to load the bases, consecutive RBI-singles drove the first two runners in to cut the deficit in half. Thornton singled to left and Tesauro grounded out to get credit with the run production results.
It was a huge five-run fifth that turned the tides in this contest, and propelled Dallas to a 7-4 advantage. It was the heart of the Lady Crusaders' lineup driving in the runs. After Thornton singled to shortstop to start a span four straight hits, Tesauro drove in the third UD run with a rip to right field. That moved the designated player's hitting streak to 10 games.
Begle remained on fire and scorched a double down the left field line to drive in the game-tying and go-ahead runs. That hit also extended Begle's nine-game hitting streak, which now matches a career-long she had a game prior to starting this current one.
Freshman Katie Antigua (Elk Grove, Calif.) and Savala also collected RBI knocks to round out the five-run, six-hit frame. Dallas was not done yet, adding a two-spot in the sixth inning from Begle's second straight two-run double. That gave the home squad a 9-5 lead. Lee would hold down the seventh for her SCAC-tying 10th win as she pitched 4.2 innings of relief.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Dallas tied a team-high 14 hits for the fourth time this spring.
- Thorton posted a career-best three hits (3-4) with two runs scored and the RBI. Kotlar also scored twice.
- A quartet of UD players with two-hit performances: Tesauro (2-4), Begle (2-4), Antigua (2-4), and Kotlar (2-3).
- UD RBI producers: Begle matched season-high with four, while Tesauro added a pair. Hitter's 2-5 in UD order combined for eight.
- UD extra base hits: Begle had two doubles and Savala added a two-bagger in fifth.
- UD Steals: Thornton, Tesauro, and Savala.
- Freshman Paige Parks (Cedar Parks, Texas) started in the circle and went 2.1 innings. She allowed four runs (1 earned) on five hits. Lee held SU to a run on five hits and struck out two.
- Southwestern's Carnes was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Irvin and Paige McShan each had multi-hit games.
- Four of the 10 Pirate hits were doubles: Irvin, McShan, Curtis, and Carnes.
- Isabella Robb started and went 4.1 innings while allowing four runs (3 earned) on six hits. Smith would come in the fifth inning with Tesauro due up, and threw the remainder of the game.
UP NEXT
Dallas hosts LeTourneau University on March 30 for a doubleheader at 5 p.m.