CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University softball team split its Southland Conference doubleheader with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Friday afternoon at Chapman Field.
The host Islanders (20-24, 8-6 SLC) broke open a pitcher's duel with a six-run sixth inning on the way to a 7-0 shutout victory in the opener. After having its seven-game win streak snapped, SLU (34-13, 11-3 SLC) bounced back with a 6-2 victory in the nightcap.
Maddie Watson,
Audrey Greely and
Lindsey Rizzo were the lone Lady Lions to manage hits off AMCC ace Grace Gilbert (7-8) in the day's first game.
Heather Zumo (16-4) allowed five hits and struck out eight in the loss for Southeastern.
Greely,
Madison Rayner and
Madisen Blackford each had two hits apiece to lead SLU in the nightcap, while Greely and
Cam Goodman each scored two runs.
KK Ladner (7-2) allowed two hits, no earned runs and struck out five in five innings of work to earn the victory in the circle.
The rubber game of the series is set for Saturday at noon. The game will be streamed free on the Islanders Digital Network with the direct link available on the softball schedule page at
www.LionSports.net.
Game One – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 7, Southeastern 0
Gilbert and Zumo matched zeroes through the first four innings. Southeastern had its best chance in the top of the fifth inning. Back-to-back singles by Greely and Rizzo put a pair of runners on with one out, but Gilbert retired
Aeriyl Mass and Goodman to keep SLU off the board.
Quinn De Avila led off the Islander fifth by reaching on an error and would score one out later on an RBI single by Sydney Hoyt to break the scoreless tie.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth. A three-run double by Monee Montilla chased Zumo from the game, then a Lady Lion error allowed three more runs to come home for the final margin.
Game Two – Southeastern 6, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2
An RBI single by Alexandria Torres followed by Pal Egan drawing a bases loaded walk plated a pair of unearned runs to give Texas A&M-Corpus Christi an early 2-0 lead through two innings.
It was all Southeastern for the remainder of the contest. Goodman walked, moved to second on a Rayner single, then scored on a sharp single up the middle by Watson as SLU scored off Islander starter Denay Smith (4-8) to cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the third inning.
Southeastern took the lead for good in the top of the fourth.
Bailey Krolczyk, playing in her hometown, led off the frame with a double into the left centerfield gap. One out later, Greely doubled just inside the left field line to knot the score. Later in the frame, Mass and Greely executed a perfect delayed double steal with Greely swiping home to put SLU up, 3-2.
Blaire Bizette's pinch-hit RBI double started the scoring for SLU in the top of the sixth inning. Two Islander errors allowed the Lady Lions to extend their lead to 6-2.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with two outs. SLU reliever
Alyssa Romano got out of the jam, retiring Hoyt to secure Friday's split.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on Twitter and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events (softball, baseball, football and basketball), effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit
www.LionSports.net/clear.
