GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Southwestern University Pirates softball team split the season opener in their first doubleheader against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, losing the first game 1-9 and then winning 8-7 in the ninth inning.
Game 1 – Mary Hardin-Baylor 9, Southwestern 1
In the top of the first inning, the Crusaders scored two quick runs off an error, setting the pace for Elissa Elliott to score a hit on a sacrifice fly for Izzy Gutierrez to end the inning with 3-0. The Pirates struggled to answer back to the Crusader's early lead and were unable to score any runs in the second and third innings. Mary Hardin-Baylor would score once again in the third inning, but the Pirates found some ground on the defense and held the Crusaders to no runs in the fourth inning. Transferring some of the momentum, Maddie Mefford took advantage of an error and scored a run for the Pirates, making the score 4-1. However, the Crusaders took advantage in the fifth inning and scored five runs on the Pirates. Southwestern was unable to answer back, ending the game 9-1 in the bottom of the fifth.
Game 2 – Southwestern 8, Mary Hardin-Baylor 7
In the second game, the Pirates wasted no time and came back with a vengeance, starting with Kathryn Dull grounding out and earning an RBI after Tori Montemayor scored the first run. Soon after, Sam Martinez would swing a double with the bases loaded, allowing Izzy Richey and Mefford to score two more quick runs giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead. Mary Hardin-Baylor responded with a single run in the second inning before putting up two more runs in the third inning. The Pirates were unable to score in the third inning, leaving room for the Crusaders to add three more runs in the fourth, making the score 7-3. Madyson Runge came out in the bottom of the fourth, doubling to right field and allowing Brooke Yanta to score for the Pirates. Soon after, the Pirates capitalized on a Crusaders error with Jessey Nunez scoring the fourth run for the Pirates, bringing the score closer. The Pirates then scored two more runs to tie up the score, sending the game into extra innings. Southwestern was able to seal the win in the bottom of the ninth inning ending the game 8-7.
The Pirates now get ready for another busy weekend in Georgetown, Texas, starting on Friday, Feb. 12th, with a doubleheader against McMurry and then turning around on Saturday, Feb. 13th to play a doubleheader against Hardin-Simmons.