SHREVEPORT, La. – After using key two-out hitting for a 4-1 win in game one, the Ladies offense erupted for 12 runs in the bottom of the fourth of game two en route to a 16-2 win in five innings as Centenary (5-10, 2-0 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) took a pair of games from Austin College (0-17, 0-6 SCAC) Saturday afternoon, March 16.
After Austin College scored a run in the top of the first of game one, the Ladies scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good. With two outs and a runner at third, senior Wendy Gillet doubled to left to tie the game. Sophomore Erin Lewis followed with an RBI double down the leftfield line to put the Ladies in front. A senior Cassie Gonzales single drove in the third run.
Meanwhile, senior Amberlee Nix (1-5) did not allow any runner past first in the final six innings for the complete-game win. She allowed five hits and an unearned run with a pair of strikeouts for the game.
Centenary scored an unearned run in the third to take a three-run lead. With one out and a runner at first, a dropped fly ball put a pair of runners on base. Gonzales added a single up the middle to score the runner from second.
Gonzales and Gillet, with senior Sydney Hurley, led the Ladies with a pair of hits in the game.
Austin College's lone run came in the first. Jaide Vidal walked and Cassidy McDaris singled to begin the game, but two groundouts put runners at second and third. A fielding error by the Ladies scored a run, but a third groundout ended the threat.
Jordan Protor (0-7) picked up the complete-game loss, allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned) in six innings of work.
In game two, Centenary held a slim 4-2 lead before erupting for 12 runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Becca McGough walked and classmate Erin Lewis doubled to put a pair in scoring position before a walk loaded the bases. Hurley stepped up to the plate and hit a fly ball off the end of the bat, but it cleared the wall in left field to quickly put the Ladies up 8-2. A Gonzales single and two errors reloaded the bases. Freshman Nichole Gauntt added a sacrifice fly. Freshman Teri Johnson added an infield single, but another Austin College error allowed the sixth run to score in the inning.
After a pitching change, McGough singled through the right side to plate two. Gillet hit an RBI double, and after a walk, a pinch-hit double by senior Kelcie Bourgeois scored a pair. Freshman pinch hitter McKenzy LeJeune capped the inning with an RBI single.
Hurley's grand slam was her only hit of the game, while Gillet had a hit and a walk with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Freshman Hannah Scoggin (3-2) allowed four hits and two runs in the circle for the win for the Ladies.
After Austin College again scored a run in the top of the first, a bases loaded hit by pitch and infield single produced a pair of runs. In the second, Lewis added a single and Gillet hit a sacrifice fly.
The 'Roos briefly tied the game in the second. Ashley Elliot led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a single, and scored on a groundout.
Taylor Groover (0-8) picked up the loss for the visitors, allowing nine hits and 12 runs (eight earned) in 3.1 innings of work.
Centenary concludes its weekend with another doubleheader Sunday afternoon, March 17, against Austin College. First pitch of game one is set for noon.
