(Portions of the story courtesy of Trinity University and Southwestern University)
SEGUIN, Texas - No. 2 seed Trinity University had a huge four RBI day from Lauren Mercado to defeat the Southwestern University 6-1 in the final game of Day One at the 2014 SCAC Softball Championships. Box Score | Official Tournament Website | Brandi Crnkovic (TU) Postgame Interview | Lauren Mercado (TU) Postgame Interview | Katie Castillon (TU) Postgame Interview
Trinity opened the game with a run in the bottom of the first on a single by freshman Sarah Paller.
Southwestern looked to respond in the top of the second, loading the bases up with nobody out. However, sophomore Kaci Wellik pitched out of the jam, getting foul out followed by a caught line drive that turned into a double play to end the inning with no damage done.
In the third, junior Tiger slugger Lauren Mercado crushed a three-run homer to make it 4-0. The Pirates again tried to respond in teh top of the fourth, loading the bases up with one out, but Wellik got a pair of fielder's choices to end the inning and keep the Pirates off the board.
Southwestern broke up the shutout with a run in the fifth with a RBI single from senior Tessa Galloway, but Trinity answered with two more runs from Mercado and Wellik in the bottom of that inning to slam the door.
Mercado finished the day 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBI, while Paller and freshman Mackenzie Hill picked up two hits each for Trinity. Junior Caitlynn Dykes scored two runs, reaching base twice on walks.
The Pirates were led by Galloway who led the charge with a 3-for-4 while junior Lindsy Biggers also posted a multi-hit game with two singles.
Sophomore Kaci Wellik (13-8) earned the win for the Tigers, scattering nine hits over seven innings, and allowing just one run. Wellik also recorded a pair of strikeouts, and was 1-for-3 with one RBI at the plate.
Freshman Nicole Gibbs was tagged with the loss for Southwestern. In 2.1 innings of work she allowed four runs on four hits while walking three. Freshman Cozette Palmer was tough in relief after pitching a complete game earlier that day, allowing two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two.
