Crusaders Claim Split after Late Surge in Game 2 on Sunday
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team split with Austin College on Sunday. After being unable to overcome a large, early deficit in the first game, the Crusaders pulled off a six-run fifth to erase a big gap in the second contest. This was a crucial game, as these teams were even with one SCAC win apiece and are batting for the final seed in the SCAC Tournament in a couple of weeks in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Katelyn Lazarek (Seattle, Wash.) doubled home a pair of runs to knot the game at five. Mackenzie Tano (Wylie, Texas) swung at the first pitch with two outs and popped the ball up in the shallow outfield grass up the middle towards shortstop that would be dropped. Consequently, Lazarek scored from third on the play. It was enough, although Austin had the tying run at third with one out in the seventh. Maggie Watts (Arcadia, La.) recorded two flyouts – including the last play on a flyout to left center that Liz Cordova (Oklahoma City, Okla.) secured on the run for the win.
Prior to the first game, seniors Mel Savala (Mel Savala) and Tera Espinosa (Caldwell, Texas) were recognized.
(Game One Information)
Team Scores: Austin (10), Dallas (8)
Team Records: Austin (1-27, 1-16 SCAC), Dallas (6-25, 1-16 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Jordan Proctor (1-12), L) Lindsay Devlin (1-1)
The 'Roos started with a big lead by plating three runs in their first two innings. An error in the first helped allow two of those to unearned.
The Crusaders countered in the bottom of the first by loading the bases with two outs but came up empty. After allowing three more runs in the top of the second, Dallas got those runs back in its home half. Madison Coutts (Tampa, Fla.) drove in two runs on a hit to center, and Bri Torres (Cypress, Texas) scored Caitlyn Stevenson (Henderson, Nev.) three batters later.
Austin College had used four hits in the previous half inning to double its advantage. Ashley Mayorga drove in the first run that inning, and Cassidy McDaris had a two-run double. The 'Roos offense tallied 17 hits and scored their runs through the first five innings.
A four-run third helped UD erase the deficit though, as a miscue this time by the visitors helped make it a new ballgame. Stevenson reached on an error by the second baseman to plate Espinosa. Julie Duenas (Houston, Texas) ripped a single to left for one run, and Cordova doubled to left center to score Stevenson and Duenas.
The 'Roos outscored their opponent 3-1 over the next four innings, with all runs coming in the fourth and fifth. McDaris had third RBI of the game as she finished 3-for-4. Mari Prazak laced a triple to right center that scored Marisa Duke, who had reached on a leadoff single, to start the fifth. Liz Parks added an RBI. UD got a run back as Tano scored on a Duenas double to left center for the team's other extra-base hit.
It was the last base knock for the Crusaders as well, as Jordan Proctor retired the last seven batters to secure a complete game win. Only two of the runs she allowed were earned, as she walked and struck out none.
Dallas totaled 10 hits, led by Duenas, Cordova, and Lindsey Devlin (Leander, Texas) with 2-for-3 days. It was Devlin's first hits of her career. Coutts, Duenas, and Cordova (hitters 2-4) had a pair of RBI. Tano scored three times.
Devlin took the loss in the circle, as she allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits over 3.2 innings. She did not walk anyone and her only two strikeouts came back-to-back to end the second inning. Karina Campo (Georgetown, Texas) made the start and finished the game to total 3.1 innings.
(Game Two Information)
Team Scores: Austin (5), Dallas (8)
Team Records: Austin (1-28, 1-17 SCAC), Dallas (7-25, 2-16 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Watts (1-3), L) Jordan Proctor (1-13)
It was another early deficit for the Crusaders, as Austin got a pair of runs in its first trip to the plate. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases to the first three batters. McDaris drove a run in on a sacrifice fly, while Emma Martinez had a fielder's choice that scored Mayorga.
UD managed a pair of walks through the first three innings but were held to just two over the minimum through 13 batters to start the game. Blyss Johnson (Wells, Texas) broke the no-hit bid up in the fourth with two outs. She reached second on a passed ball and Lazarek walked. However, a harmless flyout to center held things at 2-0.
The 'Roos appeared to put things out of reach as consecutive doubles by Martinez and Duke made it a 5-0 lead. With two outs, Martinez doubled to score Hannah Swanson and Ashley Elliott. The duo that scored had also knocked hits to get on base with Elliott managing the other double. AC had its whole trio of doubles for the game in that frame.
The Crusaders erupted for six runs on four hits in the home half of the inning. With one away, Brianna Hale (Austin, Texas) cranked a double over the centerfielder's head. After a passed ball and then walk to Stevenson, Torres scored Hale on a single through the left side. Duenas grounded out for an RBI, as the two runners had advanced to scoring position on a passed ball in her at bat. Cordova clobbered her sixth double of the season to make it 5-3. Johnson walked and then several defensive changes were made by the 'Roos, that included Proctor returning to the circle. Lazarek had the clutch knock to left center, as Johnson and Cordova scored to tie things up. The catcher then scored on the error to put Dallas up for the first time in either game that afternoon.
Austin had a runner at third in the last two innings, but Watts fielded a groundout herself to snuff the rally in the sixth, and then got the two outs in the air after striking out one to work around a leadoff error in the seventh.
UD was outhit 8-6 in the game but got them in timely fashion. The home side also drew six walks, with a pair each from the top two spots in the lineup, Stevenson and Torres. Hale had the only multiple hit game with a 2-for-3.
Watts finished the last 2.1 innings of relief, giving up just one hit and walk. She fanned two. Emily Martin (San Jose, Calif.) returned the circle and pitched 4.2 innings in the start. She allowed five runs on seven hits and walked three.
Swanson produced a 3-for-4, scored twice, and had a stolen base for the 'Roos. Mayorga added a 2-for-3 for the other multi-hit game. Martinez drove in three.
Elliott went 4.2 innings in the start. She allowed five runs on four hits, walked five, and got two strikeouts. Proctor allowed two hits and a walk in the last 1.1 innings. She gave up the eventual game-winning run, although it was unearned.
SOCIAL MEDIA
#UDCrusaders WIN! Comeback effort Splits DH with Austin!
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) April 7, 2019
- Lazarek (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, R, BB)
- Hale (2-3, 2B, R)
- Torres (1-2, RBI, R, 2 BB, SB)
- Cordova (1-4, 2B, R)
- Watts (WP, 0 R, 1 H, BB, 2 K)#WeAreUD #SCACsb #d3sb pic.twitter.com/mPqw2XrnAb
UP NEXT
Dallas takes the next week off, as the team plays at LeTourenau University next on Apr. 16.
