Islanders Snap Losing Skid with 2-0 Victory Over UTSA

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Liz Carter stepped into the circle on Tuesday afternoon looking to move on from a trio of difficult outings at last weekend's Texas A&M Invitational. Back in front of the Islanders faithful at Chapman Field, the junior righty did not disappoint, as the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team cruised to a 2-0 victory over UTSA.

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The Islanders (8-8) strung together six hits, while playing error-free softball for the first time in four games.

"I think all the way around that our energy level was up," head coach Stephanie Hughes said after the game. "They were very excited to be back out on the field today. We talked on Sunday about what we learned playing in those five games. We saw them make adjustments and make some changes to some swings, and we came out on top."

Early in the game, both teams relied upon their starting pitchers through three innings. Carter (5-5, 3.59 ERA) worked herself out of a two-on two-out situation in the fourth inning to keep the Roadrunners (6-10) off the board. Offensively for the Blue and Green, a pair of two-out singles was all the Islanders could muster in the opening three frames.

A&M-Corpus Christi broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. Carter led off with a single to center, before Aspen Auger tallied her team-leading seventh RBI of the season two batters later. Mackinzee Griebel added an insurance run on the next at-bat with her first RBI since April 25 of last year.

The pair of scores was enough run support for Carter to close out her seventh complete game on the season. With her second shutout on the year, the Austin native fanned seven, walked one and scattered a pair of hits.

Chelsea Parker and Lizzy Fox split time in the circle for UTSA. Parker gave up four hits and the pair of runs, but only one was earned. Fox came on in relief to surrender just two hits and striking out two.

CARTER'S COMPLETE DAY

The prowess in the circle for the Islanders ace was not the sole contribution from the junior. Going 2-for-3 at the plate, Carter improved her season average to a .278 clip, and now sits third in the team in runs, after registering the winning score on Tuesday.

"I came into the game with a 'yes, yes, yes' mentality," Carter noted. "Coach Stein preaches that to us on a daily basis. I went after the pitches that I thought I could get, and it turned out well for me today."

AUGER MAKING STRIDES

Junior Aspen Auger knocked home the game-winning run for the second time this season. The Austin native is hitting .205 on the year with a pair of homeruns. Her seven RBI already bests her total from last year by three.

After walking on last season, the junior has taken the duties of first baseman in all 16 games.

"This season, I'm playing with a lot more confidence," said Auger. "The team is really picking me up this year. Last weekend, I was struggling a little bit, but everybody was helping me and trying to get me back to where I needed to be. Coach Stein has helped a lot with my mentality at the plate, which has contributed to my success. 

ON DECK

The Islanders continue their homestand this weekend with a series at Chapman Field against Prairie View A&M starting on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m., before facing the Panthers on Sunday at noon.