SHERMAN, Texas — What seemed a walk in Austin College's park turned into a rollercoaster seventh inning as Southwestern survived late drama to sweep the doubleheader with a 5-4 victory over the Kangaroos.
Southwestern opened the second game with its first three hitters reaching base safely, getting a leadoff single to center from Kinly McCaffrey, followed by a Katelyn Francis walk, to set up a Maddie Mefford RBI-single through the right side. Sam Martinez followed by grounding into a 6-4-3 double play, scoring Francis to give Southwestern a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
The Pirates loaded the bases with one out in the top of the third but only managed to come away with one run. Francis hit a one-out single up the middle, followed by a Mefford double to left-center and Martinez walk. Kealie House struck out swinging, but a passed ball scored Francis before Mefford was thrown out trying to advance to third.
Southwestern head coach Emerald Doria turned to her bench after House opened the top of the sixth inning with a double to right-center, going with three consecutive pinch-hitters and getting a pair of runs.
Liz Twiss pinch-hit for Paige Rassmusen, hitting a single to left field to put runners on the corners. Madyson Runge pinch-hit for Kaylee White and fouled out to leftfield. Katheryn Dull entered the game for Brooke Yanta and drew a walk to set up a Tori Montemayor RBI on a fielder's choice, scoring House and then Twiss on a throwing error during a failed 6-4-3 double play for a 4-0 lead.
Austin College opened the bottom of the seventh on a tear, getting back-to-back doubles from Sarah Ramirez and Ashley Elliott to open the inning. Andrea Saucedo put the Kangaroos on the board with an RBI-single to the right. Lyndsey Busch picked up an RBI on a groundout to second, ending Rassmusen's day in the pitcher's circle. Doria replaced her with McCaffrey, the star of the doubleheader's first game.
McCaffrey walked the first two hitters she faced before an error scored two runs with an out at third base amidst the chaos. After a third walk, McCaffrey induced a groundout to pick up the save.
Rassmusen went 6.1 innings, giving up six hits with six strikeouts and three earned runs to pick up her fourth win of the season. McCaffrey walked three and surrendered one earned run to collect her first save of the year.
Mefford hit 2-for-4 with an RBI. Francis was 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.
Southwestern improved to .500 in conference play with a 10-10 record and 13-18 overall for the season. The Pirates will close out the regular season with a third game against Austin College tomorrow at noon.