SHREVEPORT, La. - The Ladies jumped all over the Crusaders with seven runs in the first inning of game one in an eventual 9-1 win in six, while the Maroon and White got the home run swing going in the second game as Centenary (17-17, 8-8 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) took the series finale against Dallas (6-26, 1-15 SCAC) 13-7 Sunday afternoon, April 15.
While the Crusaders recorded the first out in the bottom on the first, the next seven reached for the Ladies. Junior Margeaux Smith was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on senior Anna Dunn's single. Junior Sydney Hurley's single to left scored the first run of the game. After a hit by pitch loaded the bases, junior Cassie Gonzales grounded into a fielder's choice. However, the catcher failed to touch the plate on the throw home put the Ladies up 2-0. Junior Wendy Gillet scored a pair with a single up the middle. Freshman Beeca McGough followed with an RBI single before a wild pitch put the Ladies up six.
Junior Payton LeBlanc capped the outburst with two-out, RBI single to centerfield.
Senior Anna Dunn added a solo home run in the fourth. Dallas extended the game with a run in the fifth, but Dunn doubled to represent the winning run in the sixth. After a groundout moved to her to third, sophomore Hallie Smith clubbed the 1-2 pitch to right field for a single to end the game.
Margeaux Smith (4-2) picked up the complete game win, allowing six hits and one run in six innings pitched. Maggie Watts (3-12) took the loss in the circle for Dallas, allowing seven hits and eight runs (seven earned) in 3.2 innings of work. Dunn registered a hit in all three at-bats with three runs scored an RBI.
In game two, Centenary jumped out to a 7-1 lead before Dallas tied the game with six runs in the fourth. However, the Ladies scored six runs in their final three at-bats for the 13-7 victory. In the fourth tied at seven, LeBlanc singled, swiped second, and scored the go-ahead run on Dunn's double. In the fifth, Gillet doubled and scored on LeBlanc's single. Dunn followed with a two-RBI single as Centenary took a 11-7 lead.
Gillet capped the scoring the in the game with a two-run home run to right in the sixth inning, her second round tripper of the season.
Junior Nichole Aldridge (7-8) threw the final 3.1 innings for the win. She allowed four hits and one unearned run. LeBlanc finished the game 3-for-4 with four runs scored and a pair of RBIs.
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Margeaux Smith homered to straight-away center field before Hurley added a solo shot to put Centenary up 3-1. In the second, LeBlanc singled in a run before an error plated another Ladies run. Margeaux Smith and Hurley added RBI doubles in the frame
Dallas struck for six runs in the fourth to briefly tie the game. Caitlyn Stevenson, Julie Duenas, and Gabbie Underwood all went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Lauren Galvan (3-13) took the loss in relief, allowing nine hits and six runs in 4.1 innings of work.
Centenary closes out the regular season next weekend with a four game series at #2 Texas Lutheran. First pitch of a doubleheader Friday night, April 20, is set for 5 p.m.
