KERRVILLE, Texas -- In an unbelievable contest, Texas Lutheran erased a six run deficit and scored seven runs in the final two innings to force extras where sophomore Lainey Hebert walked off with a RBI single to defeat Trinity 9-8 (8) and move the Bulldogs in to the SCAC Championship Game for the second straight season. Official Website l Interactive Bracket l Lainey Hebert Interview l Head Coach Wade Wilson Interview l Photos
In the fifth innings of a 1-0 ballgame, Trinity (17-17, 10-6 SCAC) exploded for six runs thanks to a pair of RBIs from both Hilary Hoffman and Lauren Mercado to take a 6-1 lead, a deficit Texas Lutheran had not seen all seasn in SCAC play.
Texas Lutheran (35-4, 23-0 SCAC) wasted little time in responding, scoring three in the bottom half of the inning as Hope Estes and Megan Armistead each drove in a run. The following inning, TLU made it a one run game thanks to a solo shot from Heather Hummel.
The Tigers fired back with two more runs in the top of the seventh to extend the lead to 8-5 thanks to another two RBI hit from Mercado.
The Bulldogs would not go away, loading the bases with no out and scoring three runs in the seventh as Grace Estes tied it up with a sacrifice fly.
Taylor Grissom checked in in the eighth and shut down the Tigers. That set up Hebert in the bottom half as she singled home Jordan Hensley for the victory.
Grissom ended up earning her 18th win of the season and still does not have a blemish in 2015. Veny Pizana started the game, allowing four earned runs on five hits while Sam Yenne played a role in a relief.
Hummel finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Ashley Jacobsen was 3-for-5 with a run scored. Jacquelyn Brown and Estes each had two hits in the contest.
For Trinity, Kaci Wellik put together a terrific effort, pitching seven innings, but would take the loss. Katie Glomb came in for Wellik after facing the first batter of the eighth inning.
Mercado finished 2-for-4 with four RBI while Hoffman was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Caitlynn Dykes also had a pair of hits in the contest.
The Bulldogs will play in the SCAC Championship Game tomorrow at 12 p.m. with their opponent still in question. Texas Lutheran can win their second straight title with only one win tomorrow while their opponent will have to win two over the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Trinity moves into an elimination game tonight against the winner of Southwestern and Schreiner with the winner of that game moving on to face TLU in the championship game.