GEORGETOWN, Texas — Diving catches, drastic drop pitches, and a two-run blast from senior Maddie Mefford delivered a 3-1 win for the Southwestern softball team over Centenary, giving the Pirates the series win. 

Solid pitching and stingy defense continued to be the theme of the series, with Southwestern getting quality performances from starter Paige Rasmussen and Taylor McKenzie. 

Rasmussen surrendered an unearned run in the first inning when Mackenzie Cox reached on an error to open the game, advancing to second on a wild pitch, and scoring on an RBI single to left-center by Viviana Rivero.

However, Southwestern's starting pitcher maintained her composure, striking out the next two hitters to get out of the inning. 

The Pirates responded immediately, getting back-to-back singles from slap hitters Jodi Millhouse and Erica Otto. First, Millhouse showcased her speed with an infield single to shortstop, then again stealing second. Finally, Otto drove Millhouse in with a shot to right field.

After Sam Martinez flied out to right field, Mefford singled to center field. Centenary halted Southwestern's momentum when Jessey Nunez struck out swinging, and Centenary catcher Erin Lewis picked off Mefford, who strayed too far from first, ending the inning. 

Southwestern created several scoring opportunities with 11 hits and a pair of walks but struggled to capitalize, most notably leaving three stranded in the fourth inning after the Pirates loaded the bases with one out. 

McKenzie replaced Rasmussen to start the fifth inning, with the latter throwing four complete innings with one unearned run on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts. McKenzie was dominant, striking out five with only one hit allowed in three scoreless innings. 

Southwestern took the lead in the fifth. Millhouse led off with a single to center field, finishing the day 3-for-4 with a run scored, but was caught stealing. Otto drew a walk, setting up Mefford's two-run blast to put the Pirates up for good. 

McKenzie surrendered the lone hit off her with one out in the sixth, but Jaymee Wilkinson grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. McKenzie did the rest in the seventh, striking out Mallory Stout, Isabelle Dominguez, and Cox to earn her fifth win of the season. 

Southwestern improves to 10-22 and 5-10 in conference play, moving ahead of Centenary in the standings for fifth in the conference. The Pirates will host Austin College next weekend and close the regular season against Schreiner the following weekend.