Softball: Feb. 22 Scoreboard
Southland Conference
Central Arkansas 7, Delaware 2
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 6, Illinois 4
New Mexico 6, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2
UTSA 7, UIW 6 (8)
Hofstra 3, McNeese State 2
No. 6/6 Louisiana-Lafayette 11, McNeese State 3 (5)
UTSA 9, Southeastern Louisiana 1 (5)
Jacksonville 11, Sam Houston State 3 (6)
Abilene Christian vs. North Texas, Cancelled (Weather)
Nicholls vs. Southeast Missouri State, Cancelled (Weather)
Northwestern State at Jackson State, Cancelled (Weather)
Central Arkansas 7, Delaware 2
CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas softball team took to the field for the final game of the 2015 UCA Invitational on Sunday, playing host to the Blue Hens of the University of Delaware. The Bears’ offense was once again firing on all cylinders as UCA scored seven runs on eight hits to take down Delaware 7-2.
Central Arkansas (8-5) took the lead in the bottom of the second thanks to an RBI single from third baseman Sam Forrest, before pushing the lead to 3-0 on RBIs from left fielder Hannah Stirton and designated player Bailey Reynolds.
Forrest led off the fourth with her second home run in as many games, blasting the first pitch she saw over the fence in right-center. Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt drew a walk, and after a pair of wild pitches moved her to third base, came in to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of catcher Jessie Taylor.
Delaware (5-5) cut into the UCA lead in the top half of the fifth. Following a strikeout to open the inning, center fielder Cailey Issacs drew a walk. Catcher Danielle Wissinger looped a ball down the right field line that managed to thread its way between the foul line and the outstretched glove of a diving Stirton. With the ball lose, Issacs came around to score and Wissinger scampered all the way to third. The Blue Hens trimmed the Bears’ lead to 5-2 when second baseman Leanna Gearheart drove in pinch runner Mattie Nuccio with a groundout to second base.
UCA answered in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a pair of two-out runs to take a 7-2 lead. After a line out and a ground out opened the inning, first baseman Ashley Boswell singled through the left side to start the rally. Center fielder Amy Gunnells drew a walk to move pinch runner Tylor Dodson into scoring position, before Forrest rapped a single to second base. The ball careened into foul territory off the glove for a laid out Gearheart, allowing Dodson to score, and Gunnells came in as well on an errant throw to the plate.
Kylee Studioso (7-2) picked up her seventh complete game of the season, allowing just a pair of runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five. Carolyn Szymanski (4-2) took the loss for Delaware, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks in 3.1 innings pitched. Jordan Cargile gave up two runs, one of which was earned, on three walks and two hits in 2.2 innings of relief.
The Bears are off until Friday, when they will appear in the Under Armour Invitational, hosted by South Florida. Central Arkansas will take on East Carolina and Sacred Heart.
-
Return to top –
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 6, Illinois 4
New Mexico 6, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2
HOUSTON, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team split its final games of the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic today at Cougar Softball Stadium. The Islanders secured their second victory of the season with a 6-4 win over Illinois in the first game, before falling 6-2 to New Mexico in the final game.
Sophomore Brittney Morse hit an impressive .800 in the two games combined today. She registered a team-high four hits, including a pair of doubles and a home run to go with three RBIs and nine total bases.
The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team was leading Illinois 6-1 in the top of the fourth on Saturday when rain showers suspended play. The Islanders and Fighting Illini (5-9) resumed play today in the top of the fourth and the Islanders maintained their lead to secure a 6-4 win.
On Saturday, Illinois put up a run on one hit in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. After a leadoff double by Allie Bauch, Alyssa Gunther advanced her to third on a sacrifice bunt. Ruby Rivera then followed with a RBI groundout to shortstop to score Bauch and put the Fighting Illini on the board. Islanders' hurler Liz Carter pulled the Islanders out with her first strikeout of the game.
The Islanders quickly answered in the bottom of the first with a run on one hit to even the game at 1-1. With two outs, Morse sent her 10th career homer and second this season over the center field wall for the Islanders' first run of the game.
After a scoreless second inning, the Islanders' bats ignited for six hits and five runs in the bottom of the third. Lindsey Lyles started the frame with her third double of the season with a shot down the left field line before landing on third after Savannah Sandoval ripped a single through the left side. Sandoval then swiped her second stolen base of the season before Cosette Hernandez hit an infield single to load the bases for Dani Tefft. The junior hit a RBI groundout to shortstop to plate Lyles. Morse then followed with her third double of the season to left center to score Hernandez and Sandoval, and make it a 4-1 lead for the Islanders. Carter kept the Islanders' bats alive with a single to right center to advance Morse to third. With runners on the corners, Jessica Mendez reached on a walk to load the bases. After Galloway hit a fly out for the second out of the frame, senior Mickayla Cochran nailed a two-run single to right field to bring Carter and Morse across home plate. Illinois pulled out of the inning with a strikeout.
After a scoreless fourth inning after play was resumed, the Fighting Illini put up a run in the fifth and two in the seventh. In the fifth, Leigh Farina hit an infield single and Bauch followed with a RBI double to left field to score Farina. After a double by Gunther, Carter retired the side to pull the Islanders out of the frame.
Illinois then threatened in the top of the seventh with two runs on three hits. Bauch hit a home run to center field, before back-to-back singles put runners on first and second. After a double play, an error by the Islanders scored the second run of the frame for Illinois. A groundout to Galloway ended the game as the Islanders secured the win.
The Islanders tallied seven hits in the win with Morse going 2-for-3 to lead the Islanders' bats. The sophomore also chipped in three RBIs and two runs. Hernandez, Carter, Cochran, Lyles and Sandoval all added one hit apiece.
Carter (2-7) secured the win in the Islanders' circle. The sophomore allowed 11 hits, four runs, three of them earned, while walking one and striking out three in seven innings.
Shelese Arnold suffered the loss for Illinois in three innings. She allowed seven hits, six runs and one walk while striking out two.
New Mexico got off to a strong start with a pair of runs in the opening frame on one hit. With two outs, Chelsea Johnson reached on an Islanders' throwing error as Shelbie Franc came around to score after reaching on a walk. Mariah Rimmer then followed with a RBI double through the left side to score Johnson. The Islanders then escaped as Lyles snagged a foul ball.
The Islanders responded with a run in the bottom of the second as Lyles hit a RBI groundout to plate Mendez who reached on a walk.
The Lobos tacked on two more runs in the top of the third on two hits to build a three-point cushion. Brandi Heimburg hit a leadoff home run to right center before Casados sent a solo shot over the right center wall with one out.
After scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the Islanders answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Morse cranked her fourth double of the season to right center before Michelle Sorenson hit a RBI single down the left field line to score Mackinzee Griebel who came in to pinch run for Morse.
With the Islanders trailing by two, New Mexico added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh on four hits to pad its lead to 6-2. Lisa Rodrigues hit a leadoff double down the right field line and Michala Erickson followed with a single to right field before the pair scored on a two-run single by Jasmine Casados to right center.
Morse went 2-for-2 to propel the Islanders' bats while Hernandez, Tefft and Sorenson each recorded one hit each.
Sophomore Katie Blanar relieved junior Stephanie Flores in the Islanders' circle in the top of the fourth and retired six straight Lobos before giving up a hit in the top of the sixth. Blanar allowed five hits total and two runs, while walking one and striking out two in four innings.
Flores (0-5) registered the loss for the Islanders in three innings. She gave up three hits, four runs, two of them earned, while walking two Lobos.
Carrie Sheehan (3-1) picked up the win for New Mexico in seven innings. She limited the Islanders to five hits, two runs and two walks while striking out three.
The Islanders (2-12-1) will now return home to host Texas A&M-International in a doubleheader on Feb. 25, at Chapman Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
-
Return to top –
UTSA 7, UIW 6 (8)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – One day after losing by 12 runs to UTSA, the University of the Incarnate Word softball team pushed the Roadrunners to extra innings before losing 7-6 at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (12-4) jumped out to a big early lead. They scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning on a three-run homer by Randee Crawford. They added single runs in the next three innings to take a 6-0 lead after four innings.
The Cardinals (1-12) stormed back in the top of the fifth inning. Kellen Robles started the inning with a double and went to third on Lindsey Hood's (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) single. After one out, Katie Helm (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) drove in the first run of the inning with a single. Shelbi Swenson followed with an RBI single and then Alex Alonzo's sacrifice fly cut the lead in half. An error kept the inning alive and then Natali Duron tied the game with a three-run homer.
The Roadrunners nearly won the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jade Smith hit a two-out triple, but was stranded.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Cardinals put runners on second and third, but could not bring a run home. The game was played under the extra-innings rule where a runner started a second to start the inning. UTSA bunted their runner to third base and after a walk, they won the game on a sacrifice fly by Vivian Tijerina.
The Cardinals finished the game with 12 hits. Robles, Helm, Swenson and Duron each had two hits. Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) pitched a complete game for UIW and was tagged with the loss. She allowed five earned runs and four walks while striking out four.
The Roadrunner pounded out 14 hits in the game. Megan Low, Crawford and Smith each had three hits apiece. Nicole Merrill was credited with the victory after pitching the final three innings in relief. She allowed one hit, one walk and no runs while striking out two.
The Cardinals are back in action next weekend at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic on Friday and Saturday.
-
Return to top -
Hofstra 3, McNeese State 2
No. 6/6 Louisiana-Lafayette 11, McNeese State 3 (5)
LAFAYETTE, La. – McNeese softball suffered two losses on the final day of the UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational on Sunday, falling 3-2 to Hofstra and 11-3 to no. 6 UL-Lafayette.
McNeese (9-5) hung with the Cajuns early in the game but the Cajuns bats came alive in the fifth to take the win. McNeese placed Lauren Langner and Emily Vincent on the all-tournament team.
UL-Lafayette took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning when the Cajuns’ leadoff hitter Haley Hayden homered over the right centerfield wall. A two out, two RBI triple off the left field wall by Aleah Craighton gave the Cajuns a 3-0 lead. Craighton scores during a run down for a 4-0 lead.
McNeese cut the lead Cajun in half in the bottom of the second on a two run home run by Erika Piancastelli. The home run is Piancastelli’s first career long ball and the first hit of the season given by the Cajuns pitcher Jordan Wallace. McNeese wasted a golden opportunity to score more runs in the inning when Dakota Matiko hit into bases loaded double play to end the inning.
The Cajuns got a run back in the top of the second on a two out RBI double by Shellie Landry for a 5-2 lead.
After a pitching change by the Cowgirls, a bases loaded walk in the third by Sara Corbello extended the UL-Lafayette lead to 6-2. McNeese’s Rachel Smith got Hayden to pop up to third with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Craighton’s sacrifice fly in the fourth extended the UL-Lafayette lead to 7-2. UL-Lafayette attempts to steal home but the Cowgirls throw the runner out to end the inning.
An Illegal pitch by Cowgirl reliever Jolie Trahan in the fifth pushes another run across for the Cajuns to give them an 8-2 lead. A three run home run by Lexie Elkins blew the game open for an 11-2 lead.
Taylor Goree adds a run in the sixth for McNeese on a solo home run to left, her second long ball of the season.
In the first game of the day for the Cowgirls against Hofstra, McNeese took a 1-0 lead on sacrifice fly by Taylor Goree in the second. Langner’s sacrifice fly in the third gave McNeese a 2-0 lead. Hofstra scored two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two RBI single by Brittany Allocca to tie the game at two all.
Hofstra won the game in the bottom of the seventh on a pinch hit RBI single by Brielle Pietrafesa to give Hofstra the 3-2 win.
McNeese collected four hits with singles coming from Hailey Drew, Dakota Matiko, Langner and Goree.
The Cowgirls return to the diamond next weekend to host their own Cowgirl Classic.
-
Return to top -
UTSA 9, Southeastern Louisiana 1 (5)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana junior outfielder Katie Lacour was 3-for-3 at the plate, but it was not enough in a 9-1 loss to UTSA on the final day of the UTSA Classic on Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
Southeastern fell to 4-7 overall with its fourth consecutive loss. UTSA racked up 10 hits against SLU senior pitcher Spencer Adkinson (0-3) and Tori Stamper to improve to 11-4 on the season.
Lacour continued her tear to open the season, elevating her batting average to .526. She scored SLU’s only run on the team-high 13th RBI season of freshman third baseman Sydney Booker. Freshman outfielder Kinsey Nichols collected SLU’s only other hit on Sunday.
SLU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Lacour led off the game with a base hit, moved to second on a single by Nichols and scored on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Booker.
UTSA tied the score in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore second baseman Madison Kinley’s two-out solo home run knotted the game at 1-1.
The Roadrunners took the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning. A three-run home run by junior catcher Tess Soefje put UTSA up, 4-1, and chased Adkinson from the game.
In the fourth, the first three batters reached for UTSA and all eventually scored. An error extended the Roadrunner fifth and a two-run single by senior shortstop Courtney Buchman enforced the run rule.
Southeastern will close out its five-game road trip on Tuesday, traveling to Louisiana-Monroe for a 6 p.m. contest.
-
Return to top -
Jacksonville 11, Sam Houston State 3 (6)
MOBILE, Ala. – Sarah Allison posted her 27th career home run Sunday to account for Sam Houston’s runs in an 11-3 loss to Jacksonville University in the Kats’ final game at the South Alabama Softball Classic in Mobile.
Allison’s home run, her fifth of the season, scored outfielder Jessica Slater and second baseman Dani Allen in the first inning of the contest. Slater walked and Allen reached base on an error.
With the homer, Allison moves into a tie with Kim Damian, who played for Sam Houston from 2010 to 2013, as the Bearkats’ second all-time leading home run hitter.
Two other members of the 2015 SHSU squad rank in the top five in Bearkat career home runs. Hillary Adams is the Kats’ all-time leader with 32 while Tiffany Castillo stands fourth with 21.
Jacksonville totaled eight runs on five hits and an error in the bottom of the second inning and added one run in the fourth and two in the sixth to earn the run-rule victory.
Tayler Atkinson was the losing pitcher for Sam Houston with Meme Quinn pitching the final four innings in relief.
The South Alabama Softball Classic saw Sam Houston go up against three teams that entered the tournament with a 26-8 combined record. Ball State is the defending Mid-America Conference champion, host South Alabama the Sun Belt runner-up last year and Chattanooga won the Southern Conference tournament in 2014.
Sam Houston finally gets the opportunity to play a home game when the Bearkats take on Mary Hardin-Baylor in a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Tuesday, March 3. The SHSU women, now 5-11 for the year, have played all 16 of their games away from home.
-
Return to top -