Sixth Inning Comeback Falls Short for Islanders

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A two-run sixth inning for the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team could not pull the Islanders out of a 4-0 hole against Stephen F. Austin on Friday afternoon, eventually falling 4-2.

The Islanders (11-20, 1-9) outhit the Ladyjacks (15-17, 5-4), 10-7, but the visitors left seven runners on base throughout the game. Candice Hadd and Cosette Hernandez provided matching 2-for-4 outings to lead the Blue and Green

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SFA pitcher Brittany Lewis gave the hosts the lead in the first inning with a three-run homer to left. The junior finished the day going 3-for-3 and accounted for all four runs, before turning in an equally impressive performance in the circle. The Ladyjacks hurler went 6 2/3 innings and scattered 10 hits, while giving up two earned runs.

Islanders starting pitcher Liz Carter (7-9, 3.24 ERA) settled in after the rough first inning to retire eight of her next 10 batters. SFA added an insurance run in the fifth to take Carter's stat line to four earned runs on seven hits, with three strikeouts and two walks in six innings of work. 

A&M-Corpus Christi fired back with a pair of runs in the sixth. Hadd connected on the second home run of her career on a solo-shot to right. Aspen Auger followed the freshman two batters later with an RBI double up the middle.

The Islanders put two aboard with two outs in the seventh, but could not bring them home to level the score.

QUICK HITS

• Dani Tefft took her team-leading batting average to .342 this season.

• Candice Hadd extended her season tally to 14 RBI with her homer in the sixth.

• Catcher Mariah Clay took the team lead in runners caught stealing this year with her fourth on Friday.

• The 10 hits on the afternoon marked the second time this season the Blue and Green reached double digits in the hits column.

ON DECK

The Islanders and Ladyjacks square up for a doubleheader tomorrow at 1 and 3 p.m. All games will be broadcast on YouTube SFA All-Access.