SEGUIN, Texas -It was a tale of two different games as defenses controlled game one and offenses reigned supreme in game two as Southwestern and Texas Lutheran battled on Tuesday afternoon. SU took the opening game 3-1 but fell 12-10 in the second.
Game one was a defensive showcase that started with the Bulldogs taking a one run lead in the second inning after a sacrifice fly to left field. The Pirates answered in the top of the fifth when a two-out single by Amanda Ambrose drove in Ashleigh Scott.
After a scoreless sixth SU got back down to work in the top of the seventh. Aided by three TLU errors and perfect execution the Pirates stole the lead 3-1. Southwestern's defense took care of the rest to close out the game for the win.
Three Pirates, Ambrose, Tessa Galloway and Karen Ramirez posted hits in the win. Lauren Zearfoss earned the win with seven innings of work. She scattered five hits and allowed one run with nine strike outs and two walks.
Game two highlighted both teams offenses as they combined for 22 runs in the contest. TLU once again scored first, but this time posted eight runs in the bottom of the first, shocking the Pirates.
Southwestern pushed one across in response in the second and four more in the third to close the gap to three, 8-5, after three.
A steady run presence by the Bulldogs allowed TLU to push their lead to seven, 12-5, after six innings. With their backs against the wall and needing a huge inning to get back on top Southwestern began to mount an offensive attack in the top of the seventh.
Ambrose and Taylor Turpin led things off with back to back singles. Kaitlyn Pavlicek followed with a walk to load the bases and Haley Hughes delivered a single that drove in two runs. After a flyout to right Kady Freshour singled to load the bases once again. Liz Blummer was hit by a pitch to drive in another run.
A pitching change by TLU didn't do the trick as Ramirez doubled to drive in two more runs but was thrown out at third with aggressive base running for the second out of the inning. A final fly ball dashed the Pirates hope of a comeback as the game ended 12-10.
Hughes led the offensive charge going 3-5 from the plate with five RBI's and three runs scored. Freshour had a strong day as well going 2-3 with two runs scored.
Lyndsy Maus garnered the loss for the Pirates while Pavlicek had a good outing in relief with 5.2 innings of action and allowing just eight hits.
Southwestern heads to Florida for Spring Break next week to compete in the Rebel Games. They will first face Millikin University on March 13th at noon.