Box Score CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Down by five runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team rallied to put three runs on the board, but a five-run sixth inning for Nicholls provided enough separation for a 5-3 series opening victory on Friday at Chapman Field.
RELATED: Box Score
Both sides were able to put runners aboard in the opening three innings, but neither side pushed a runner beyond second. Heading into the final two innings, the Islanders (11-16, 1-6) and the Colonels (17-12, 4-2) combined for just four hits.
The game broke open in the top of the sixth. After Nicholls loaded the bases, Kristen Ahern notched a two-RBI double to put the visitors on the board. The Colonels tacked on five runs in the inning on three hits and two errors.
Mackinzee Griebel, Savannah Sandoval and Megan Mitchell loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh for Cosette Hernandez to pull the Islanders one back after grounding into a fielder's choice. Candice Hadd followed Hernandez with a bases-clearing single two batter later to bring A&M-Corpus Christi within two runs, but pitcher Jackie Johnson closed the game to earn her first save of the year.
Liz Carter stepped into the circle for the Islanders to scatter six hits and allowed just two earned runs. The Austin native struck out six and walked two in her 12th complete game of the season.
In the circle for Nicholls, Hannah Haydel tossed six scoreless innings with a trio of strikeouts, while surrendering three hits and two walks.
NOTABLE STATS
• Candice Hadd extended her RBI total to a team-leading 13 on the year.
• Cosette Hernandez played third base for the first time this year, while Hadd was in the offensive only.
• The three runs marked the sixth time this season that the Islanders have scored three or more runs in a game.
ON DECK
The Islanders and the Colonels return to the diamond for a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m. before a 2 p.m. series finale.
STAY SOCIAL
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- Go Islanders -
