AUSTIN — Southwestern softball was swept by NCAA Division II St. Edward's in today's doubleheader, losing a one-run game followed by a 7-0 defeat.
Game 1: St. Edward's 3, Southwestern 2
The tying run was left stranded in the top of the seventh for Southwestern in a 3-2 loss to the NCAA Division II St. Edward's Hilltoppers.
St. Edward's scored the game's first two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Kathryn Connelly reached first on an error to open the inning, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Maddy Larson followed with a one-out walk, and the Hilltoppers scored on a double steal. Then, Lauren Hoyt followed with an RBI single for the 2-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers added another run in the third inning on an RBI single to center field by Jordan Neely, scoring Genisa Marrero-Carter, who reached on a leadoff single off a bunt.
Southwestern pulled within two in the top of the fifth inning. Jessey Nunez drew a one-out walk, Then, after an Alex Fletes strikeout, Jodi Millhouse drove Nunez in on an RBI double. Erica Otto followed by reaching first, scoring Millhouse.
Both teams were retired in order over the next inning and a half until Millhouse hit a two-out single in the top of the seventh. Otto flied out in the next at-bat to end the game.
Millhouse hit 3-for-4 for Southwestern, driving in an RBI and scoring a run. Taylor McKenzie pitched all six innings, surrendering three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Game 2: St. Edward's 7, Southwestern 0
St. Edward's broke the game open with a five-run second inning on the Hilltoppers' way to a 7-0 victory over Southwestern.
Megan Morris sparked the Hilltoppers with a leadoff single to left field in the top of the second, then stole second base. Then, Connelly reached first on an error, putting runners in the corners. After Connelly stole second, Hoyt hit an RBI single for the games' first run.
Kailee Skidgel followed with a two-RBI double, and Marrero-Carter hit a two-run home run to give St. Edward's a 5-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers added two more runs in the fourth inning, scoring on an RBI groundout by Marrero-Carter, and an RBI double by Neely.
Madison Vela, Mattigan Aga, and Samantha Saenz each hit 1-for-3 for Southwestern. Paige Rasmussen started in the pitcher's circle, throwing 1.1 innings, surrendering five runs on five hits. Aga pitched the rest of the way, allowing two runs on four hits.
Southwestern drops to 5-13 this season. The Pirates will travel to San Antonio this weekend to play Trinity in a doubleheader on Saturday with a third game on Sunday.