Sterling Takes Two Games from Crusaders

February 24, 2024

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas softball team lost both games of their double-header against Sterling College on Saturday, falling to 0-8 on the season.

Game 1

Dallas 3, Sterling 11 (5 Innings)

WP: A. Mason (1-1)

LP: Julia Kruse (0-1)

The Crusaders put themselves in a tight spot right from the start, as the first three batters on 13 pitches to load the bases with no outs.  Julia Kruse couldn't record an out before SunnyDale Thies was called upon in relief to get out of the jam. Another walk, a base hit, and a double steal plated four runs for the Warriors before the inning was over.

Sterling added a run in the second and two runs in the third to go up 7-0 before Dallas got on the board.  A couple of base knocks and a wild throw by Sterling's catcher let two Crusaders cross the plate to make it a 7-2 game.  

The Warriors tacked on four more runs across the fourth and fifth innings to go up 11-2.

With their backs up against the wall, Dallas had all the makings of a rally with three straight hits to load the bases in the fifth.  But they couldn't catch a break; Abby Lasley lined out to the shortstop, who doubled off Gianna Alvarez at third to go from bases loaded no outs, to first and second with two outs and the Crusaders needing two runs to stay alive.

Dallas managed to bring one run home on a double steal, but the rally ended there as Sterling held on for the win.

Game 2

Dallas 5, Sterling 10 (8 Innings)

WP: M. Viehland (1-1)

LP: SunnyDale Thies (0-3)

After three scoreless innings, Sterling broke the deadlock with two runs in the fourth, scoring both runs on a wild throw by the shortstop.  

Dallas took advantage of a defensive miscue as well.  Isabella Halsey reached second on an error by the third baseman, then stole third to stroll safely home on a single by Bre Barnes to make it a 2-1 game.

Dallas took their first lead of the day in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI double by MacKenzie Flocke.  They had the opportunity to score more, loading the bases with two outs, but left them loaded to go into the sixth with a narrow 3-2 lead.

The Crusaders added one more run in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead into the seventh.  They were one out away from picking up their first win of the season, but Sterling plated two runs on a costly error at second base to tie the game at 4-4.  The game went to extras after Dallas failed to score in the bottom of the seventh.

The flood gates opened in the eighth.  The Warriors scored six runs on five hits and an error to put the game effectively out of reach for Dallas.  The Crusaders scored a consolation run in the bottom half of the inning, but could do no more than that.

Up Next

The Crusaders are off for over two weeks and won't be back in action until mid-March.  They will host a three-game series with La Roche, starting with a double-header on Tuesday, March 12 at 2:00 pm.