GEORGETOWN, Texas - After a thrilling win in the first game of the day, the Ladies used a six-run sixth and a three-run shot from senior Anna Dunn as they eliminated Schreiner (23-13-1), 9-5 in game two. In the final contest of the day, Centenary (20-22) fell to Southwestern (23-16) 4-1 to take third place at the 2018 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament Saturday night, April 28.
With the Ladies already up 6-2 against the Mountaineers in the fourth, Dunn worked the count to 3-1 before going yard to left center to break the SCAC record for home runs in a season. Dunn finished the season with 52 RBI's and a .915 slugging percentage, both Ladies Softball single-season records.
Down 2-0 to the Mountaineers entering the third, Centenary scored six to take the lead for good. With one out, junior Payton LeBlanc singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on senior Kelsey Ancelot's infield hit. After Ancelot swiped second, Dunn doubled down the left field line to tie the game. An infield hit by junior Sydney Hurley put runners on the corners, and a double steal scored Dunn. Junior Margeaux Smith joined the infield hit parade, and a Schreiner throwing error scored Hurley. Centenary led 4-2.
After a fielder's choice produced no out, junior Wendy Gillet cleared the bases with a double to left center.
LeBlanc and Ancelot both went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Dunn went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and five RBIs. Dunn finished the season with 12 multi-RBI games - including three games with five RBIs or more.
Junior Nichole Aldridge (10-10) picked up the win, allowing 10 hits and three runs (two earned) in 5.2 innings pitched.
Schreiner scored a run in each of the first two innings. Ashton Vasquez and Alyssa Maki led off the game with singles to put Mountaineers at the corners. A bunt single by Gabriella Acuna scored a run, but Aldridge got a ground ball double play and a strikeout to retire the side.
Schreiner took a 2-0 lead in the second when Bailey Arellano hit a solo shot. The Mountaineers added one in the sixth and two in the seventh, but Centenary held on for the win.
Maki and Acuna both led Schreiner by going 3-for-4 from the plate. Jessica Vrana (7-4) took the loss for Schreiner, allowing seven hits and six runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
In game two, Centenary struck first with a run in the top of the first. LeBlanc and Ancelot walked to begin the game. Dunn reached on a fielder's choice before a bunt single by Hurley scored Ancelot from second.
LeBlanc went 1-for-2 while Smith and Hurley both went 1-for-3 for Centenary. Aldridge took the complete game loss in the circle, allowing seven hits and four runs in six innings of work.
After a run in the second to tie the game, Southwestern scored three in the sixth. Sydney Scott and Celeste Silvas jumped on the first pitches they saw for singles, while Grace Phelps singled through the left side to put the Pirates ahead. However, the throw went home and both runners moved up into scoring position. A wild pitch and Kaitlynn Copher's single provided the final three-run margin.
Andrea Hern's two-out single in the bottom of the second tied the game.
Lindsey Longuet (7-5) picked up the complete-game victory, allowing three hits and one run while striking out five.
With the finish, Centenary has now finished third in the SCAC Tournament twice (2016 and 2018).
