Early Offense lifts Softball to 6-0 Win to Begin Florida Trip

MINNEOLA, Fla. – The University of Dallas softball team captured its second shutout of the season, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham 6-0 in the first game of down in Florida for The Spring Games.

GAME INFORMATION

Team Scores: University of Dallas (6), Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (0)

Team Records: Dallas (6-11), FDU-Florham (2-6)

Pitcher of Record: W) Galvan (4-3), L) Zaccario (2-3)

NOTABLE STATISTICS

- Jade Miller (Plano, Texas) sparked the offense with a personal best in hits (3) and runs batted in (3).The outfielder was a homer away from the cycle as she doubled and tripled.

- Mackenzie Tano (Wylie, Texas) and Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) contributed two-hit days and both knocked a double.

- Tano added to her RBI lead with a pair.

- Allie Driskill (Houston, Texas) scored a run and swiped a successful steal.

- Lauren Galvan (Bryan, Texas) was perfect at the plate (1-1), walked twice, and crossed home twice (team-best).

- Galvan remained hot in the circle tossing her 2^nd career shutout and winning her 3^rd straight start in less than a week. She fanned a personal high six batters and walked three.

- As a team, Dallas walked a season-most eight times. Baylee Leifester (Belton, Texas) and Lety Morales joined Galvan in receiving two free passes.

- The eight hits for UD tied the 2^nd most since doing it both matchups versus Ottawa University on opening day. Half of those for extra bases sets a season most for the Crusaders.

- The Devils recorded six hits all for singles. Gabby Young was 1-for-2 with two walks. Kaylee Fish also reached more than once on a hit and walk.

- Megan Zaccario was saddled in the loss with six innings thrown. Her final line was: eight hits, six runs (5 earned), eight walks, and four strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was an early start Wednesday for the Crusaders, but the bats awakened with five runs combined through the first two trips for the team at the plate. Alison Kotlar kicked the game off by reaching first on an error by the third baseman on a bunt. Miller, the team's best hitter displaying a .477 batting average coming into the game; lifted a triple to right field and got Dallas on the board. It was her 2^nd three-bagger of the year.

After one out, Driskill walked and stole second to get two runners in scoring position. Tano brought them home on a double to right center to complete a 3-0 advantage.

FDU-Florham threatened to answer right back by having the first trio of hitters record singles to load the bases. This accounted for half of the team's hit in the contest. UD's Bryan locked in and matched her season-high in strikeouts by punching the next two hitters out. A groundout by Courtney Rohde to second retired the side and sent Dallas back to back unscathed.

The Navy and White pulled away with a two-spot in the second inning. Cervantes punched her first extra base hit of the campaign to start the frame. Galvan and Morales both walked and then two batters later Miller laced a double to left field for a pair of runs driven in. Morales was thrown out on the play trying to make it three. Dallas did get that 6^th run eventually in the sixth to complete the scoring. Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas) lifted a sacrifice fly to right that scored Bryan who walked at the start of the inning.

Bryan sent the opposition down in order for the second time on the day (4^th was previous) to secure her 2^nd shutout of the season. The six hits allowed was a season low. The Crusaders' pitching staff the past five games have allowed two runs or less. Bryan has only given up one earned in her past three appearances.

UP NEXT

Dallas plays Salve Regina University later on Wednesday around 1 p.m. (EST)