Crusaders Fall to Hardin-Simmons in Wednesday's Doubleheader
IRVING, Texas – Big innings carried Hardin-Simmons University to a double-header sweep, as the University of Dallas softball team fell in a pair of non-conference games on Wednesday night. Game one was a 2-1 game through four innings, but the Cowgirls erupted for seven runs in the fifth and secured the run-rule after six innings with another three runs tallied in the top of that frame.
In the nightcap, the Crusaders held Hardin-Simmons to a pair of runs in the third and again had cut the deficit to 2-1 before a huge inning pulled the guests in front by a large margin. It was a five-run sixth that had the damage, but the Crusaders did answer in the bottom of the inning and had a two-out rally snuffed with the bases-loaded in their last at bat.
(Game 1 Information) (F/6)
Team Scores: Hardin-Simmons (12), Dallas (3)
Team Records: Hardin-Simmons (12-10), Dallas (5-16)
Pitcher Records: W) Brookelyn Casper (3-4), L) Emily Martin (0-2), S) Camille Scott (1)
Emily Martin (San Jose, Calif.) made her second start of the season and held Hardin-Simmons scoreless through the first two innings. Kaitlin Ammermann walked to start the game, but was thrown out by Madison Coutts (Tampa, Fla.) on the next batter. Martin stranded Karis Hessert at second after she doubled with two outs.
The Cowgirls posted seven doubles overall this game with Hessert notching two of them as part of her 3-for-4 game to lead the visitors. Her other base knock was a single through the left side to score Stephanie Pfeifer in the third inning. Hardin-Simmons had loaded the bases that frame, but a running grab in left center just before the track by Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.) prevented further damage.
The next four innings saw HSU garner at least one run. Pfeifer was involved on the next scoring play as she singled to right and drove in Kaycee Koiner.
Dallas responded with a three-hit bottom of the forth as Cordova, Bri Hale (Austin, Texas), and Tano all singled. Tano's knock cut the gap to a run. The Crusaders would strand the bases loaded though.
From there, the Cowgirls tagged 10 runs over the next two innings to push the game out of reach. They finished with 16 hits overall.
Cordova and Hale led the Crusaders at the plate with 2-for-3 performances. Hale etched UD's other ribbie that was part of a two-run fifth. Caitlyn Stevenson (Henderson, Nev.), Mel Savala (Bryan, Texas), and Cordova formed hitters 2-4 in the lineup that scored for Dallas.
Martin made her longest start of her career going 4.1 innings. She surrendered four runs on seven hits and walked three. Lindsay Devlin (Leander, Texas), and Haley Henson (Chandler, Texas) also pitched for the Crusaders.
Seven hitters paced Hardin-Simmons with multi-hit games. Kate Tovar, Camille Scott, and Brooklyn Casper led the team with two RBI each. Koiner scored a game-high three runs.
Casper worked 3.2 innings and allowed a run on three hits while walking four and striking out two. Scott escaped the home fourth inning trouble and finished the last 2.1 innings to earn the win.
(Game 2 Information)
Team Scores: Hardin-Simmons (7), Dallas (2)
Team Records: Hardin-Simmons (13-10), Dallas (5-17)
Pitcher Records: W) Taylor Hinojos (3-2), L) Maggie Watts (0-2)
Like the first game, the Cowgirls struck first by scoring in the third inning, The Crusaders did have the first hit this time as Stevenson reached on a one-out single through the left side. She got to second but was out for the final play that inning on obstruction with the shortstop.
Tovar doubled in Pfeifer to break the scoreless tie. Karis Hessert would drive in Ammermann for the other run that inning.
10 Crusaders were sat down in a row by Hardin-Simmons starter Taylor Hinojos after the hit to Stevenson. A hit by pitch to Cordova ended the stretch.
Dallas got on the board in the fifth after a pitching change was made to bring Christina Blevins in. Katelyn Lazarek (Seattle, Wash.), Yared Cortez (Clint, Texas) – first in career, and Bri Torres (Cypress, Texas) recorded singles. Torres had the RBI to drive in Lazarek. The inning ended as Torres attempted to get in a rundown and made it back to first okay, but Cortez was cut down at home on the gamble for tying the contest.
Hessert's twin Kenzee Hessert drilled a leadoff home run in the sixth that sparked a five-run inning. Ammermann and Tovar singled and walked, respectively, with the bases loaded before the other Hessert drove in the last two runs that inning, as HSU batted around.
The Crusaders had another three-hit inning, highlighted by Blyss Johnson (Wells, Texas) scoring Coutts. They did battle with two outs, as Carah Delao (League City, Texas), Torres, and Stevenson got on with singles in the seventh. However, a soft pop up back to Hinojos concluded the game.
Stevenson notched her third three-hit game of the season (3-4), while Torres contributed a 2-for-4. The Crusaders were outhit 13-10, as seven different batters in the lineup tallied a base knock.
Maggie Watts (Arcadia, La.) was saddled with the loss after giving up six runs on 10 hits through a season-long 5.1 innings as the starter. She fanned three and walked one. Martin finished the last 1.2 innings.
Ammerann paced the Cowgirls with a 3-for-4, two runs, and RBI in the leadoff spot. Karis Hessert drove in three runs on a perfect 2-for-2 game, while Sidney Cox notched the other doubles in the game for her pair of knocks. Pfeifer added a 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Hinojos earned the win as she exited and returned to throw six innings overall. She scattered seven hits and allowed a run, while striking out none. Hardin-Simmons pitching did not surrender a walk.
UP NEXT
Dallas hosts Centenary College on March 23-24 with both doubleheaders slated to start at 12 p.m.