Softball Dominates in Sunday's Sweep at Austin College
SHERMAN, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team swept the second doubleheader at Austin College to secure a conference series win overall. For consecutive days, the Crusaders posted an 8-run shutout in the first game, but this time earned the run-rule in five innings.
Dallas then piled on another high-scoring game and were able to blank the 'Roos for 12 consecutive innings on Sunday in a 9-0 decision. Overall this series, the Crusaders scored 33 runs combined with eight in the first trio of matchups.
(Game 1 Information) (Final 5 innings)
Team Scores: Dallas (8), Austin (0)
Team Records: Dallas (3-12, 2-5 SCAC), Austin (2-8, 1-2 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Watts (2-6), L) McDowell (2-4)
Dallas struck for a run in the first inning and then expanded the lead to five with four more runs in the second inning. Gabbie Underwood (La Verne, Calif.) got the scoring started as she singled to right center to score Mackenzie Tano (Wylie, Texas), who had taken a one-out walk and stolen second.
In the next frame, the Crusaders expanded the advantage as Tano tripled to right field to plate a pair. Underwood then blasted her first collegiate home run to left center that scored two more runs.
A three-run fourth capped the scoring for UD. Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.) singled down the left field line to score Alicia Enciso (Corona, Calif.). Julie Duenas (Houston, Texas), who posted another perfect day at the plate (3-3) for the second time this series, singled home Underwood and Tano.
Tano also reached base all three chances with the extra base hit and UD's only two walks. She scored a personal-high three runs. Duenas and Underwood were the only players for Dallas with multiple hits. Underwood logged a 2-for-3 and drove in three, which gave her five at that point of the weekend set.
The Crusaders were fast on the base paths with five steals from just as many individuals.
Maggie Watts (Arcadia, La.) earned her second win of the series and overall with just three hits allowed in five innings. It was her second shutout, too.
Austin College had a trio of players record singles: Beth Massey, Courtney Gonzalez, and Jaide Vidal. Alyssa McDowell took the loss with eight runs (5 earned) on eight hits in three innings. She walked two and struck out one.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Final | #UDCrusaders WIN! Softball prevails in a run-rule for the 2nd time in the series in game 1 at Austin College! Duenas had another perfect game at the plate, and Underwood went yard for her 1st of career! | @UDallasSoftball #GoUD #UDSB #SCACsb #d3sb pic.twitter.com/6UhfJDEFnI
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) March 18, 2018
(Game 2 Information)
Team Scores: Dallas (5), Austin (0)
Team Records: Dallas (4-12, 3-5 SCAC), Austin (2-8, 1-3 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Watts (3-6), L) Elliott (0-3)
The Crusaders continued to score runs in the early stages of the second game. Cordova lifted her first career home run and the team's second of the day to give the team a 2-0 lead. Three more runs came the next time as the guests pushed the gap to five for the second game in a row.
Things remained at that margin until the last frame, when UD put the game away with four runs to cap a high-scoring series. The big inning included five hits, with Tera Espinosa (Caldwell, Texas) pinch hitting with a single to left center to score the first runner, Mel Savala (Bryan, Texas).
Savala started the frame with one-of-two triples the Crusaders ripped. Enciso had followed Espinosa's base knock with a double down the left field line for the second run, and then Tano hit a ball to the right field corner for the other three-bagger. Underwood avoided her first hitless game of the series and extended her hitting streak to five with the final RBI on a single to cap Dallas' 10-hit performance.
The Crusaders also benefitted from nine walks by Austin College pitching. Eight different players for Dallas found the hit column in this game. Enciso was a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI, two runs, and two walks. Duenas recorded the other multiple hit showing with a 2-for-4 and the other extra base hit not yet mentioned, a double.
The top quartet of hitters in the batting order for UD: Enciso, Tano, Cordova, and Underwood each tallied a pair of ribbies.
Emily Martin (San Jose, Calif.) made her first start this spring and tossed 3.1 innings with two hits and a walk allowed. Watts came in to relief her for the final 3.2 frames. The duo combined for Dallas' third shutout of the year and each posted a pair of strikeouts.
Austin College only got one extra single compared to game one. Lauren Mara, Ashley Elliott, Massey, and Elizabeth Parks recorded the knocks. Vidal drew two of the team's three walks. Elliott took the loss with five runs, four hits, and five walks allowed in two innings. Gonzales threw 2.2 no-hit innings, but walked four.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Final | #UDCrusaders WIN! Softball sweeps DH Sunday and claims Series at Austin! 33 runs combined over the weekend! | @UDallasSoftball #GoUD #UDSB #SCACsb #d3sb pic.twitter.com/6II8MXOaIw
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) March 18, 2018
UP NEXT
Dallas has a quick turnaround with a non-conference doubleheader at home on Tuesday, March 20th, versus McMurry University. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.