LONGVIEW, Texas - In a race to beat mother nature, a seven-run inning sure goes a long way.
The Ladies scored three in the second and seven in the fourth to just beat the weather of east Texas as Centenary (6-1) extended its winning streak to five games with a 10-1, five-inning win against Grambling State (1-6) in a contest in Longview Tuesday afternoon, February 20.
Rain started falling shortly following the conclusion of the game, forcing the nightcap against host LeTourneau to be postponed.
Up 3-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth, Centenary hit five doubles to plate seven runs. After junior Wendy Gillet led off the inning with a double, a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases. With one out, junior Margeaux Smith cleared the bases with a double down the leftfield line. Freshman Erin Lewis and junior Sydney Hurley both hit RBI doubles to put the Ladies up 8-1. A wild pitch and a two-out, infield single by junior Cassie Gonzales scored Hurley. Sophomore Maddie Fremen capped the inning with a pinch-hit, RBI double.
Freshman Taylor Abshire, who threw all five innings for the Ladies, retired the side in order for her second win this season in as many decisions. After allowing three hits and an unearned run through two innings, she surrendered only a walk the final three frames.
In the second down 1-0, Centenary scored three runs to take the lead. After a pair of walks, Gillet singled in the tying run and advanced to second when Grambling State tried to throw out senior Anna Dunn at the plate. With a pair in scoring position, sophomore Haley Campbell laid down an RBI sacrifice bunt. However, Gillet scored on the throw to complete the three-run inning.
Gillet led the Ladies offensively with a pair of hits in as many at-bats, a run scored, and an RBI.
The lone Grambling State run came in the first. Kenyshae Beasley led off the game with a bunt single and moved to third on an error. Hailey Haynes laid down an RBI, sacrifice bunt to put Grambling to score the first run of the game.
Already up 1-0, the Tigers threatened in the second. However, with a pair in scoring position with one out, Monique Smith lined out to junior Payton LeBlanc at second. She stepped on second base to complete the unassisted double play to end the Grambling State threat.
Caitlin McDowell took the loss for Grambling State, allowing five hits, eight runs, and five walks in 3.1 innings of work.
Centenary returns to action Saturday, February 24, when it travels to Montgomery, Alabama, for a doubleheader against Huntingdon. First pitch of the first game is set for noon.
