Cervantes breaks Game Two Open as Softball ends Home Schedule with a Win
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team concluded the 2016 home portion of its schedule in winning fashion with an 8-2 victory. The triumph ended a five-game slide, as the Lady Crusaders split a Wednesday doubleheader in non-conference action with LeTourneau University. LETU claimed a 9-1 win in the first game.
GAME ONE INFORMATION
Team Scores: LeTourneau University (9), University of Dallas (2)
Team Records: LeTourneau (17-16), Dallas (16-19)
Pitcher Records: W) Thomas (3-2), L) Parks (4-8), S) Burdine (1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Dallas claimed an early 1-0 advantage in the first inning. Junior Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) walked and moved to third as freshman Roma Thornton (Wharton, Texas) picked up UD's first hit of the game and put two in scoring position with no outs. Two batters later, senior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas) singled to center field to drive in her 28th of the campaign and extend her team-lead. The YellowJackets escaped the inning with the next two hitters striking out and grounding out, respectively.
It was the guests that swung the momentum offensively by evening the score in the next top half of the inning. That sparked a string of five straight innings LETU etched at least one on the scoreboard.
The big frame was a four-run third. The quartet of runs came off the bat of Macey Mize's grand slam. Megan Hill started the inning with a one-out double to right center, and Briana Williams reached on an infield single. Ashlin Roach walked to load the bases. After Rachel Gauspohl flew out for the second putout, the stage was set for Mize's game-deciding blast.
The YellowJackets added two in the fourth to open a 7-1 lead. In the fifth, it looked like LETU was going to widen the gap but Dallas turned a rare triple play to leave unscathed.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Dallas was outhit 16-7.
- Finch and freshman Sukie Turner (Valley Center, Calif.) each posted 2-for-3 games. Finch drove in the other UD run, scored a run, and reached three times.
- Finch swiped the team's lone two stolen bases.
- Junior Allison Kotlar (Edna, Texas) whacked the Lady Crusaders' lone extra-base hit with her 2nd triple this season.
- Freshman Paige Parks (Cedar Parks, Texas) final pitching stat line: 4.0 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 2 BB, and 3 K.
- Mize had the big knock with four RBI on her round-tripper. Kennedi Dillow went 4-for-5 with a double and two steals.
- Ashlin Roach was perfect at the play with two doubles for both hits and drew two walks. She scored three times for a game-high.
- Samantha Thomas final pitching line: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, and 5 K.
GAME TWO INFORMATION
Team Scores: LeTourneau University (2), University of Dallas (8)
Team Records: LeTourneau (17-17), Dallas (17-19)
Pitcher Records: W) Lee (13-11), L) Thomas (3-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the nightcap, the Lady Crusaders struck first again but this time etched a five-spot that gave them a lead that went non-relinquished in the ninth home triumph of 2016. Finch doubled down the left field line and stole third while the number two hitter, Thornton batted. The designated player for this game punched a single to right field and Finch broke the tie for the second consecutive game in the first frame.
Two wild pitches while junior Lyda Tesauro (Hollywood, Fl.) moved Thornton to third, and the rightfielder went to right field on a double that doubled the score with a 2-0 display. Begle walked and Thomas's night in the circle was complete. New pitcher Courtney Matulis hit freshman Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas), and classmate Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) emptied the bases with a double to right center. She did get out trying to stretch the play, and Dallas finished the opening inning with eight hitters stepping in the box.
Cervantes continued her career night with a two-run homer over to left center field and pushed the advantage to seven runs. It was the catcher's second long ball of her rookie year, and gave her a total of five. Those quintet of RBI occurred in a row as part of UD's eight-run contest, and also marked the highest amount by a player in a single-game this spring. Taylor Garcia (Class of '15) drove in five last season on March 15 versus Centenary College.
LeTourneau broke the shutout bid with a sacrifice fly to center by Roach in the fourth inning. Thornton singled up the middle to drive in Kotlar and push the margin back to seven runs at the time.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Dallas broke double-digits with 10 hits. 14th game this season for UD to accomplish the mark.
- A quartet of players had multi-hit performances. Top three hitters: Finch, Thornton, and Tesauro were part of the unit and gave a combined 6-for-10.
- Cervantes rounded out the group with her pair that drove in her career-best.
- Savala was the lone player to score more than once by crossing home twice.
- Finch, Tesauro, and Begle notched steals. Finch now has 75 in her career after taking a trio overall tonight.
- Junior Katie Lee threw a complete game. She scattered six hits, allowed two runs, walked none with one strikeout.
- Courtney Matulis was perfect at the plate (3-3) with half of the squad's total base knocks. She managed both of the team's two stolen bags.
- Ashley Burdine went 1-for-1 with an RBI in the seventh. She tossed the final two scoreless innings, while allowing three hits.
- Thomas started and failed to record an out. Matulis threw four innings to bridge the gap. In that span she allowed four runs (3 earned) on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Dallas completes the regular season at Schreiner University on April 16-17. It is a scheduled four-game series. Check www.udallasathletics.com for any potential changes due to weather.