GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Southwestern University softball team split its doubleheader against the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls, getting a solid performance from Madison Vela in Game 2 to get back in the win column.
Game 1: Hardin-Simmons 6, Southwestern 5
The Southwestern softball team left two stranded in the bottom of the seventh of a 6-5 loss to the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls.
Heavy winds contributed in part to four Southwestern errors. Still, Southwestern did well to mitigate the damage with five strikeouts thrown by starting pitcher Taylor McKenzie and a few outstanding defensive plays.
Southwestern also got a perfect performance at the plate from freshman outfielder Erica Otto, who hit 3-for-3 with two doubles and a triple for two RBIs and a run scored to help the Pirates answer almost every Cowgirls' run.
In the top of the second inning, a dropped pop fly led to an RBI single to left field by Hardin-Simmons' Aubrianna Salazar. Then, Maddie Mefford put Southwestern on the scoreboard with an RBI single that ricocheted off the pitcher's leg, scoring Otto, who led the inning off with a triple to the right-field fence.
Sarah Polanco put Hardin-Simmons back on top with a groundout to the pitcher's circle with runners on the corners, scoring Salazar in the top of the fourth inning. However, Southwestern responded in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back RBI doubles from Jessey Nunez and Otto.
Madison Mayhew tied the game on an RBI double to left field in the fifth, scoring Emma Adair. Then, in the top of the sixth inning, a misplayed grounder led to two unearned Hardin-Simmons' runs for the 5-3 lead.
Meghan McCarthy and Alex Fletes opened the bottom of the sixth with a single and walk, advancing to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Brooke Yanta. McCarthy scored on a passed ball, and Otto drove in Fletes with an RBI double to tie the game.
Madison Vela started the seventh inning for Southwestern and walked Mayhew to start. Ashley Easley pinch ran for Mayhew and used her speed to steal second, move over on a sacrifice bunt by Kaylen Washington, and score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Sarah Diessner.
Southwestern opened the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back singles, but the next three hitters were retired to end the game.
Game 2: Southwestern 3, Hardin-Simmons 2
Freshman pitcher Madison Vela pitched a complete-game victory for the Southwestern Pirates and provided her own run support in a 3-2 win.
Vela surrendered only two runs on seven hits with five walks and four strikeouts, getting out of jams to leave nine stranded. However, it was on the other end where she set the tone, hitting a two-RBI single to right-center to score McCarthy and Millhouse, who reached on a single and walk.
Hardin-Simmons finally broke through in the top of the third inning, scoring on an RBI double by Karis Hessert to right field, scoring Haley Henson, who reached on a leadoff single. However, Southwestern responded immediately, starting the bottom of the inning with a double to right field by Mefford.
The Cowgirls loaded the bases in the top of the fourth, opening with a walk and infield single. Then, Diessner attempted to bunt Mayhew over to third, but Brooke Yanta made a heads-up play, fielding it and throwing the lead runner out at third. Then, Yanta fielded another grounder, getting the lead runner out again on the unassisted force out at third. Finally, after Vela walked Henson, Solomon grounded out to end the inning, leaving three stranded.
After scoreless fifth and sixth innings, Southwestern's defense opened the seventh inning with two quick outs. Vela struck out Henson, and Polanco grounded out to second. Then, Hardin-Simmons rallied, starting with a Mason McCord single back up the middle. Then, after Hessert drew a walk, Faith Fernandez hit an RBI single up the middle.
Vela responded with a clutch performance with two runners on, striking out Mayhew to secure her second win.
Southwestern improves to 8-18 with the win, dropping Hardin-Simmons to 21-7. The Pirates will travel to Houston this weekend to face St. Thomas in a three-game conference series, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday and ending with a Sunday noon game.