Finch steals Records; Softball splits Friday at Schreiner
KERRVILLE, Texas - The University of Dallas softball team dropped a 4-0 final in game one, and prevailed 7-2 in the second contest of an opening series doubleheader at Schreiner University. Junior Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) set the school record for career stolen bases with 78. Her trio of steals on the night also gave her 31 this season, to shatter her previous single-season record set in 2015.
GAME ONE INFORMATION
Team Scores: University of Dallas (0), Schreiner University (4)
Team Records: Dallas (17-20, 11-10 SCAC), Schreiner (8-27, 6-15 SCAC)
Pitcher Decisions: W) Vrana (5-16), L) Lee (13-12)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mountaineers scratched a run across in the first inning and it would be enough to stand up in the shutout. Dallas had a good opportunity in the top of the frame, with Finch starting the game with a double. Senior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas) singled to put runners on the corners, but ended the inning getting caught stealing at second to snuff the threat.
Back-to-back two out doubles for Schreiner in the first got that run tacked on. Samantha Cordon smacked the first two-bagger and scored on Sydney Christopher's RBI-knock.
The home team pushed the advantage with three runs over the final two trips to the plate. In the fifth, Kaycee Govett drove in Jessica Vrana, who had reached on one of UD's three errors in the contest. The Maroon and White received consecutive singles from Vrana and Daneece Stewart to round out the scoreboard.
The Lady Crusaders went down 10 in order after the first inning. Freshman Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) ended the stretch with a single. UD worked bases loaded in the sixth down 2-0 still at that juncture. With one out, Finch and freshman Roma Thornton (Wharton, Texas) singled back-to-back but a strikeout happened following the duo's double steal. Begle walked to load the bags, but another punch out left them juiced.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Hits were nearly even, with Dallas being outdone 8-7.
- Finch and Cervantes tagged multi-hit performances. Each went 2-for-3. Finch laced the lone extra-base hit.
- Finch's steal in the sixth tied her with Jessica Mollner for the UD career stolen base record (76).
- Thornton's hit was her third straight this week.
- Junior Katie Lee (Houston, Texas) took the loss. She threw six innings, allowed four runs (2 earned), on eight hits, while walking none and striking out two.
- Christopher had a perfect day at the plate with a 3-for-3. She scored a run and drove in one. Stewart went 2-for-3.
- Vrana added a hit and run scored at the plate. In the circle, she threw seven shutout innings. Vrana scattered seven hits, walked one, and struck out six.
GAME TWO INFORMATION
Team Scores: University of Dallas (7), Schreiner University (2)
Team Records: Dallas (18-20, 12-10 SCAC), Schreiner (8-28, 6-16 SCAC)
Pitcher Decisions: W) Parks (5-8) L) Espinoza (3-11)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Dallas produced all of its runs from the second through fourth innings to even the series with a game two victory. In the second, the Navy and White posted three runs and never trailed the rest of the way, despite and early response from Schreiner.
In the three-run frame, freshman Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas) led off with a double and Cervantes singled to put runners on the corners. A successful double steal broke the scoreless contest. The UD catcher had moved up to third on the same play, and later scampered home on a wild pitch three hitters later. Junior Allison Kotlar kept the two-out rally rolling with single. She moved to second on a wild pitch and stole third. After Finch walked, the new UD career stolen base leader broke the mark with her 77th. Kotlar crossed home on the play.
Lorena Espinoza nipped the margin to one-run (3-2) with a two-RBI single that scored Lindsey Martinez and Sarah Worrell.
Cervantes kept her strong night going with an RBI-double to follow Begle's double and give UD a 4-2 edge. At the end of the inning, freshman Keali Weatherford (Humble, Texas) got in a run-down long enough before being retired caught stealing for Cervantes to increase the score.
Two insurance runs came through for the Lady Crusaders in the fourth, with one hit after two passed balls aided the visitors garnering them. The first moved freshman Samantha Bratsch (The Woodlands, Texas) and Kotlar to scoring position. Finch grounded out for the RBI and Kotlar advanced in the middle of the next at-bat via the second passed ball.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Kotlar went perfect at the plate with three hits and scored two runs. Cervantes notched her second multi-hit game in a row with two knocks. She scored twice, too.
- Dallas outhit the Mountaineers 9-7.
- The Lady Crusaders legged out four doubles, which is the second highest most this season.
- Notching the doubles for UD: Begle, Savala, Cervantes, and Kotlar.
- Finch broke another record, notching steals number 30 and 31 this season to eclipse her old single-season best.
- UD snagged five overall with Tesauro, Cervantes, and Kotlar taking the other three.
- Freshman Paige Parks (Cedar Hill, Texas) started and threw three innings. She allowed both runs on four hits with a walk and strikeouts. Lee tossed the final four innings.
- Schreiner was led by Christopher with a 2-for-3. Espinoza drove in both runs. No extra-base hits were logged.
- Espinoza was saddled with the loss going three innings. She allowed five runs on six hits. She walked two and struck out two. Vrana threw the final four innings, and surrendered two on three hits. She also struck out two and walked one.
UP NEXT
The series concludes tomorrow at 10 a.m.