Shreveport - The Centenary softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with the Pacific University Boxers on Saturday at the Centenary Softball Complex, winning game one by a score of 6-5 and dropping a tough game two, 8-4.
The Ladies (2-3) were coming off a thrilling 4-3 walk-off win over UT-Dallas last Sunday at home and continued the momentum with another one-run win in game one on Saturday. Pacific (4-6) broke a 4-4 tie with four runs in the top of the seventh inning in the nightcap to earn the split.
Pacific jumped out to a 4-0 lead after its first two plate appearances but then the Ladies erupted for five runs in the bottom of the second inning to grab a 5-4 lead. The Boxers quickly tied the game in the top of the third but Centenary responded right away to reclaim the lead, 6-5, after four innings and held on for the final two frames.
Centenary was outhit 11-4 in game one but drew 12 walks and scored on an error. Freshman shortstop Kaylea Patridge (Las Vegas, NV) went 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored to lead the Ladies' offense. Junior catcher Erin Lewis (Leesville, La.) had three walks, one hit, and an RBI and center fielder Haley Campbell (Erath, La.) had a pair of walks, an RBI, and two runs scored. Campbell went 3-8 with two doubles last weekend.
Starting pitcher Kirstyn Gomez (Deer Park, Texas) pitched a complete game and picked up the win as she allowed five runs (four earned) and 11 hits in her seven innings of work with one walk and one strikeout to improve to 1-1 on the season. Pacific's Cheyenne Datan (0-2) took the loss in relief of starter Rylee Patton as Datan allowed one run (earned), a hit, and four walks in 1.1 innings.
Campbell walked with the bases loaded to start the Ladies' second-inning rally to make the score 4-1. Patridge's double made it 4-3 then Lewis followed with an RBI single to tie the game. Patridge then raced home on an error by Pacific catcher Montana Vaught for the 5-4 lead. First baseman Brittney Broussard (Rayne, La.) delivered a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the fourth in a tie game for the eventual game-winning RBI and a 6-5 lead.
The Ladies jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two innings in game two on another RBI single by Broussard and an unearned run following a Pacific error. The Boxers then scored a pair of runs in each of the next two innings to grab a 4-2 lead. Centenary promptly tied the game at 4-4 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Campbell doubled in freshman Mallory Stout (Trinity, Texas) and freshman Taylor Mayo (Shreveport).
The game remained tied until Pacific scored four in the top of the seventh capped by a two-run home run to left field by third baseman Kate Macaitis-Smith. Sophomore Ashley Hunter (Benton, La.) started and went the distance and took the loss to fall to 1-2 on the season as she allowed eight runs, all earned, and 17 hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Pacific starter Morgan Masters improved to 2-3 on the season with a complete-game victory. She allowed four runs, all earned, and 11 hits with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. Patridge, Broussard, Mayo, Stout, and sophomore second baseman Jaymee Wilkinson (Brazoria, Texas) each collected two hits apiece in game two. Five Pacific Players had multi-hit games.
Centenary will hit the road for the first time this season as the Ladies face the Hendrix Warriors in Conway, Ark. On Thursday, Feb. 20 in a non-conference doubleheader with games set for 4 and 6 p.m.
A link to the complete season schedule is available here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/sball/2019-20/schedule
Live stats and live video are available for all home games and admission is FREE to all Centenary home athletic events.
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