CORPUS CHRISTI – Lamar built an early 3-0 lead in the first two frames before earning a 4-1 win over the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi softball team today in the series finale at Chapman Field. The Islanders (13-24-1, 8-10 SLC) plated a run in the bottom of the fourth but another run by the Lady Cardinals (21-19, 12-6 SLC) in the top of the seventh sealed the win.
Dani Tefft, Mickayla Cochran, Liz Carter and Jessica Mendez all picked up a hit in the loss while Casey Cromwell went 3-for-4 to lead Lamar's bats who outhit the Islanders, 6-4.
Lamar jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame after Cromwell hit a leadoff home run over the left center wall, and Jenna Holland hit a RBI single to center field to bring Sarah Ragsdale across home plate. The Lady Cards tallied three hits in the frame.
After a pair of groundouts and a pop fly in the bottom of the first for the Islanders, Lamar added a run in the top of the second after Cromwell hit a RBI double to right center to score Corina Thornton who reached on a leadoff single. The Islanders were able to escape the frame leaving a Lady Cardinal stranded at third as Cosette Hernandez and Hayley Galloway snagged fly outs.
The Islanders got on board in the bottom of the fourth after Tefft led off the inning with a single to center field. Cochran then drilled a single to center field to advance Tefft to second. After a fly out and groundout put the Islanders in scoring position, Carter reached on an error as Tefft came around to score. With Cochran at third, the Lady Cards escaped the frame after Mendez hit a pop fly.
In the Islanders' circle, Carter settled in and retired nine straight Lady Cards before Lamar's Thornton drew a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh. After a sacrifice bunt advanced her to second, Cromwell hit a RBI single to right field to plate Thornton. The Islanders ended the frame after a groundout, error and fly out to leave a pair of Lady Cards stranded.
A&M - Corpus Christi put a runner on in the final frame with one out but back-to-back fly outs sealed the win for Lamar.
Carter (9-15) registered the loss in seven complete innings. The sophomore allowed six hits, four runs and three walks while striking out three Lady Cards.
Laura Napoli (15-11) picked up the win for Lamar. She limited the Islanders to four hits and one run while recording a strikeout in seven innings.
The Islanders will host UTSA on Wednesday, April 15, at 3 p.m. at Chapman Field.
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