UT Arlington Edges Nicholls in 10 Innings
SAN MARCOS, Texas - UT
Arlington senior Brittany Washington hit a bases-loaded single to center field
to give the Mavs a 3-2 win in the bottom of the 10th inning of the 2010
Southland Conference Softball Tournament at Bobcat Field in San Marcos, Texas.
In
the top of the first inning, Nicholls sophomore Natalie Travasos hit her first
home run of the season to give the Colonels an early 1-0 lead. After a walk by
sophomore Mandy Granger, freshman Katie Holmes hit a double to right center for
a 2-0 lead in top of the second inning.
In
the bottom of the third inning UT Arlington answered as junior Rebecca Collom
and senior Cara Hulme hit back-to-back home runs over left center tying
the game 2-2.
After
six and a half scoreless innings UTA sophomore leftfielder Kelsey Kaiser kept the
Mavs alive with a home run saving catch in the top of the ninth inning.
Later
in the bottom of the 10th inning, Hulme led off with a single to right field.
Freshman pitcher Teri Lyles, who went all 10 innings for her 14th win of the
season and had two hits, reached on a fielder's choice advancing pinch runner
sophomore Kari Karr to second base. Later after senior Heather Fortenberry was
walked to load the bases, Washington drove a shot over the outstretched arms of
Nicholls centerfielder Megan Gaspard for the game-winning score.
With
the win UTA advances to play No. 2 seed and tournament host Texas State in game
four at 6:30 p.m. today.
Game
three between No. 1 Stephen F. Austin and game one winner No. 4 McNeese State
is set to begin at 4 p.m.
Nicholls
will play the loser of game three Friday in game five at 11 a.m.
Live
stats as well as streaming video and audio are available on SLC NOW on the
Southland Conference web site at www.southland.org.
POSTGAME QUOTES
UT Arlington Head Coach - Debbie Hedrick
(On today's win)
"I think our kids fought hard and strong the entire game. I'm very excited
about the win; it was a team effort for sure. We held our composure to tie the
game up and made some great defensive plays. That catch in left field was
awesome, it was a game changer."
(On preparing for Texas State)
"Obviously
they're waiting and they're a tough team but we know we have to take one game
at a time and it's just a matter of us getting our focus back and playing
another good team in the conference."
Nicholls Head Coach - Jenny Parsons
(On the game one loss)
"With
runners on second and third I thought walking that batter was the right thing
to do. He had some success against Washington but we just left something too
low in the zone for her. If the left fielder doesn't make that catch and steal
that home run who knows maybe we win 4-2, but those are the things about the
conference tournament. I'm still proud of my kids and we'll come back tomorrow
and try harder."