GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Southwestern University softball team swept a doubleheader in the first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) series against the University of Dallas Crusaders Saturday evening. 

Game 1 – Southwestern 2, Dallas 1

In the first innings, both Southwestern and Dallas defense kept each other's batters from any hits or runs. But Dallas came back in the top of the second inning to score the first run, making the game 0-1 with the Crusaders in the lead. The Pirates struggled the next two innings trying to score any runs, but pitcher Tori Montemayor as well as the infield defense kept Dallas from scoring any runs to widen their lead. It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth inning that Brooke Yanta singled to center field and Jessey Nunez was able to take advantage off of an error and score the first run for the Pirates, making the game an even 1-1. However, the next few innings, both Pirates and Crusaders struggled to score any runs to solidify the lead. In the top of the seventh inning, Southwestern was able to keep Dallas from scoring any runs, but this meant the Pirates had to score a final run to end the game. Dallas was able to get two outs and needed only one more out to extend the game for a possible comeback, but Izzy Richey doubled to centerfield allowing Rylee Rudloff to score the final run to end the first game 2-1 with a Pirate win.

Game 2 – Southwestern 8, Dallas 0

In the second game, Southwestern took an early lead. The Pirates kept Dallas from scoring a run in the top of the first inning, and in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded, Katelyn Francis was walked by the Dallas pitcher, which allowed Alex Fletes to gain the first run. Then Maddie Mefford stole home before the end of the first inning to make the game 2-0 with the Pirates in the lead. Once again, the Pirates seized the momentum in the bottom of the third inning when Madyson Runge doubled to left field and earned two RBI's with Francis and Richey to score two more runs for the Pirates. Soon after, Nunez ended the third inning by hitting a single that allowed Runge to score again. As the Southwestern defense held Dallas to zero runs, the Pirates kept a 5-0 lead in the first three innings and the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Dallas's pitcher struck out the first two Pirate batters, leaving Mefford at bat with one out to go. Mefford, however, refused to go down and after two balls, she swung to hit the ball over the fence, scoring her first home run of the season. Going into the fifth inning, the Pirates once again kept the Crusaders from scoring any runs. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Nunez was up to bat with the bases loaded and was able to single, allowing Francis to score the sixth run. and shortly after, Yanta also singled with the bases loaded, allowing Runge to score the final to end the game 8-0 in the bottom of the fifth.

Southwestern softball improves their record with 3-3 in-season play and 2-0 in the conference. The Pirates will now get ready for a quick turnaround to play their final series game against Dallas on Sunday, March 7 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.