Softball edged Friday by Trinity to split first day of SCAC Tournament
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team nipped two deficits in the third and fourth innings against host school Trinity University, but could not overcome a 4-3 setback in the nightcap on Friday in the SCAC Tournament. Number three-seeded Dallas went 1-1 overall and will look to avoid its second loss in the double elimination format. Number two-seeded Trinity improved to 3-2 against UD head-to-head this season and will face top-seeded Texas Lutheran University at 2 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Team Scores: University of Dallas (3), Trinity University (4)
Team Records: Dallas (20-22), Trinity (25-14)
Pitcher Records: W) Castillon (8-3), L) Lee (14-14)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trinity jumped out to a quick advantage with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. A fielding error at third for UD started the Tigers' night offensively. Rylie Goldwait reached on the miscue and scored three batters later on a sacrifice fly by Marisa Trevino. Kaci Wellik singled through the left side to give TU a 2-0 lead.
Wellik was also pitching in the circle and limited traffic in the first two innings. Dallas had placed two on with two outs in the second, but a fly out by junior Allison Kotlar (Edna, Texas) ended the threat. The Lady Crusaders' top of the order went on an outburst in the third, as junior Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) and freshman Roma Thornton (Wharton, Texas) crossed home to knot the game. After Finch walked, Thornton doubled to left and put UD on the board. Junior Lyda Tesauro (Hollywood, Fl.) singled to left and tied the contest with her fourth RBI of the tournament.
Tesauro stole second, but Wellik retired the next three hitters with the Navy and White unable to get the ball out of the infield. Wellik picked up her second hit in as many trips in the bottom half, and put the Tigers ahead 3-2. Rebecca Berreth scored after smacking a one-out double. The Lady Crusaders evented the score in the top of the fourth as Thornton reached on a fielding error by the pitcher.
Katie Castillon had just entered the game and Thornton was her first batter to face. Freshman Samantha Bratsch (The Woodlands, Texas) had pinch ran and scored on the Maroon and Gold miscue.
In the fifth, Dallas managed to place the first two runners on via singles. Senior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas) and freshman Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) recorded the knocks. There was no more advance for UD at that point, and the Tigers leaped ahead for good as Goldwait scored on a wild pitch in the bottom half. The Lady Crusaders threw Hilary Hoffman out at home on the next ball in play and had Trinity strand two.
The guests battled in the sixth with Finch and Thornton smacking hits, but Finch would be caught stealing third on a double steal attempt. Tesauro flew out, leaving Thornton at second. Trinity prevailed on its home field to start 1-0 in the tournament after receiving a bye through the early round.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Thornton (3-for-4) notched a game-high in hits and displayed that mark for the third time this year. The rightfielder posted the lone extra-base hit for UD, while scoring a run and driving in one.
- Tesauro tallied the other RBI for Dallas. She and Thornton formed a duo with the two team's stolen bases.
- Finch (2-for-3) and freshman Katie Antigua (2-for-4) (Elk Grove, Calif.) recorded multi-hit performances.
- Junior Katie Lee (Houston, Texas) threw six innings in the start. She allowed four runs (3 earned) on six hits, while walking one and striking out two.
- Both teams committed two errors.
- Berreth and Wellik each had perfect days at the plate with two hits apiece. Berreth scored twice and had both of TU's doubles for the lone extra-bases hits.
- Wellik drove in two and pitched 3.2 innings in the start. She allowed three runs (2 earned) on six hits, a walk, and struck out five.
- Castillon earned the win, tossing 3.1 shutout innings with two strikeouts. She scattered four hits.
UP NEXT
Dallas is in a must-win situation the remainder of the tournament. The Lady Crusaders take on number four-seed Southwestern University at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The Pirates fell 6-1 on Friday to Centenary College.
Dallas claimed the season-series, 3-1, at Irving, Texas. (L, 7-1 |W, 6-4 |W, 1-0 |W,9-5). Keep up with the latest results and news here.