Late game rallies give Pirates split with Tornados

Late game rallies give Pirates split with Tornados

ROUND ROCK, Texas – A couple of seventh inning comebacks gave Southwestern a split Tuesday night picking up a 3-2 win before falling 7-6 to cross-town rival Concordia Tuesday night in non-conference college softball action.

Game one saw the Pirates use timely hitting to propel a rally in the top of the seventh scoring two runs to claim a 3-2 win.

A lead-off triple from Linsay Biggers started the inning as she tied the game on a Christina Crandall double that bounced off the wall in center. After a sacrifice bunt from Karen Ramirez, Ashleigh Scott nearly duplicated Crandall's double except in the gap in right center to score Crandall.

The Pirates took the lead in the first inning on a Kayla Irvin single up the middle that scored Ramirez.

From there the Pirate pitching staff held the Tornados' bat silent scattering five hits between Nicole Gibbs and Cozette Palmer. Gibbs continued her hitless streak through the first three innings as she was perfect before Concordia picked up a pair of runs.

Palmer picked up the win finishing the game in the final 3.2 innings as she allowed no runs and struck out two.

Biggers finished 2-for-3 to help pace the Pirates offensively as they threatened in every inning but the fourth leaving seven on base.

In game two Concordia rally twice including three runs in the final frame to post a 7-6 comeback win.

The Pirates got on the board in the top of the third inning when Ramirez singled scoring Biggers. Tessa Galloway reached on an infield single that scored Crandall after she followed Biggers single with a base hit of her own. Galloway led the Pirates in game two going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

After the Tornados pushed two runs across in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead the Pirates responded with a breakout sixth inning.

Southwestern took advantage of a Concordia error and added two hits all with two outs. Crandall reached on an error before Ashleigh Scott walked to load the bases.

Tessa Galloway followed Scott with a walk to pick up her second RBI before Kayla Irvin belted a RBI single off the left field wall. Irvin's shot scored both Scott and Ramirez to give the Pirates back the lead at 6-4.

Concordia started its seventh inning rally with a Hanna Contreras home run before a walk, double and back-to-back singles gave the Tornados the walk-off win.

Southwestern returns to conference action this weekend with a four game series at the University of Dallas Saturday and Sunday. First pitch on Saturday is set for 1 p.m.